    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [February 20, 1998]
    [Page 262]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Northern Ireland Peace Process
    February 20, 1998

        Today's decision to suspend Sinn Fein from the Northern Ireland
    peace talks shows that the UK and Irish Governments are committed to an
    inclusive process but one that reaffirms that it is unacceptable to mix
    politics and violence.
        Peace in Northern Ireland is best served if all the political
    leaders of Northern Ireland work to find common ground to make common
    cause for peace. The United States stands with those who support peace
    and against those extremists on both sides who will use all the means at
    their disposal to sabotage a peaceful settlement that the vast majority
    of both communities, and countries, support. I call on Sinn Fein to take
    the necessary steps to rejoin the talks and for all parties to reject
    violence and demonstrate in word and deed commitment to the Mitchell
    principles that exclusively peaceful means are the only way forward.