    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 11 (Monday, March 22, 1993)]
    [Pages 442-446]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks at a Saint Patrick's Day Ceremony With Prime Minister Albert
    Reynolds of Ireland and an Exchange With Reporters

     March 17, 1993

        The President. Good day, ladies and gentlemen. On this St. Patrick's
    Day, I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Reynolds, called Taoiseach
    in his country, to the White House. We both share a love of music and a
    love of Ireland, and I'm looking forward to working with him in the
    years ahead. I accept with honor this beautiful bowl of shamrocks he has
    presented from the people of Ireland to the people of the United States.
    And it will be proudly displayed in the White House as a symbol of our
    shared values and common heritage.
        The Prime Minister's visit is an opportunity not only to recall our
    kinship but also to work together on issues of critical importance to
    both our nations. We just concluded a good meeting which covered many
    issues, and I benefited greatly from the Prime Minister's advice and
    counsel.
        We discussed the importance of bringing the Uruguay round to a
    successful conclusion. We reviewed the humanitarian relief effort in
    Somalia, including the generous contributions of Irish citizens working
    in such organizations as CONCERN and UNICEF.
        Let me take a moment here, Mr. Prime Minister, to extend to the
    families and friends of Valerie Place and Sean Devereux the heartfelt
    condolences of the American people over their tragic deaths and our
    gratitude for their service. Their dedication to the relief efforts in
    Somalia will serve as an inspiration to us as we seek to extend the hand
    of comfort to victims of strife.
        The Prime Minister and I also discussed the continuing tragic
    conflict in Northern Ireland that has cost 3,000 lives over the last 2
    decades. I congratulate both the Irish and

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    the British Governments for their joint efforts to promote the necessary
    dialog to bring about a just and lasting peace. And I want to underscore
    my strong support for that important goal. We agree that such an outcome
    cannot be coerced or imposed, and that those who resort to violence must
    not be tolerated. Violence condemns generation to harvest the seeds of
    bitterness, not peace. Nor can the problem be resolved by the language
    of victories or defeats. It must be resolved in the language and spirit
    of compromise and conciliation.
        I told the Prime Minister that the United States stands ready to do
    whatever we can to help in bringing peace to Northern Ireland. We are a
    nation of diversity. We are prepared to help in any way that we can. I
    think that it is important to say that the most significant thing I
    should be doing now is to encourage the resumption of the dialog between
    the Irish and the British Governments, which I think is a critical
    precondition to any establishment of a lasting peace. Our support for
    the International Fund for Ireland is an important demonstration of our
    commitment to encourage investment and economic growth and to advance
    the cause of peace and tolerance.
        My discussions with Prime Minister Reynolds, as with Prime Minister
    Major, were the first of many that I think you will see our governments
    having as we offer our assistance in trying to end the troubles.
        Let me close by saying that the ties of culture, history, and
    friendship between the United States and Ireland mean a great deal to
    me. Last night the Prime Minister and I joined together in singing
    ``When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.'' He did a slightly better job than I
    did. [Laughter] Today we pause to renew our ties to Ireland and the
    challenges ahead. Let me add that Ireland will have a friend in the
    White House, Mr. Prime Minister, not just on St. Patrick's Day but on
    every day of the year.
        I also want to take advantage of the Prime Minister's visit here to
    announce my intention to nominate as Ambassador to Ireland a
    distinguished individual, as Irish as Americans can be, Jean Kennedy
    Smith. I can think of no one who better captures the bonds between
    Ireland and the United States or who will work harder to advance our
    relationship. In many ways she's already been an unofficial
    international ambassador. Since she founded Very Special Arts two
    decades ago, she has traveled tirelessly throughout the United States
    and the world. Very Special Arts provides opportunities for the disabled
    in creative arts in all 50 States and over 50 countries, including
    Ireland. As a testament to her success, a play from her young
    playwrights program in Dublin will open shortly off Broadway.
        I know firsthand Jean's achievements from the Arkansas Very Special
    Arts program and remember well when Hillary joined her in our State for
    the competition to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the White House.
        The people of the United States will be proud of our new Ambassador.
    I am proud of her, and I'm glad to have a couple of her relatives, the
    Senator from the State of Massachusetts and Congressman Kennedy, to join
    with us today. And Mr. Ambassador, let me say again how very grateful we
    are to you and offer you the opportunity to make a few remarks and then
    offer Mrs. Smith.
        Ambassador-Designate Smith. Thank you very much. It is a great honor
    for me to be nominated as Ambassador to Ireland. And I'm extremely
    grateful to President Clinton for his confidence in me. I will do all I
    can to repay this confidence. It's a wonderful St. Patrick's Day. Thank
    you.
        Prime Minister Reynolds. Thank you, President. And first of all, may
    I take the first opportunity of saying--[at this point, Prime Minister
    Reynolds spoke in Gaelic]--which is congratulations to Jean Kennedy
    Smith to be the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland. The U.S. is proud of her. We
    are more proud still to welcome home Jean Kennedy Smith. She has been a
    regular visitor to our shores. She has done marvelous work throughout
    the world, as the President has just said, in relation to her work for
    the disabled arts. And I know she'll get plenty of opportunity to
    continue that creative work in Ireland.
        Thank you, President. St. Patrick's Day, Mr. President, is an
    occasion which bonds and brings together our two communities and peoples
    in a uniquely meaningful way. It is not simply about shamrock and
    symbols,

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    important though these are; rather does it have as its core a deep,
    abiding, and shared belief in democracy and freedom and in the
    protection and extension of human rights.
        It was because these values were incorporated in the foundation of
    the American republic that Thomas Jefferson could proclaim in his first
    Inaugural Address what might then have seemed a paradox, and I quote:
    ``I believe this . . . the strongest Government on earth.''
        It is a day and this is a unique occasion, standing as we are here
    in the house which, as President Clinton remarked last night at that
    very enjoyable function, that this house was designed just over 200
    years ago by an Irishman, James Hoban. That's one of the reasons why we
    are contemplating the extraordinary success of Irish America. You will
    have no difficulty, Mr. President, if on this day I characterize you,
    you yourself, as reflecting on that Irish American success story. Like
    John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, and
    other Presidents of Irish extraction before you, you have risen to the
    highest position in the land adopted by your ancestors and demonstrated
    again that the great American dream which inspired so many of your
    forbears is alive and well and in very good hands.
        The success story that is Irish America today began as one of
    political, economic, and social struggle in the home country. It should
    not be surprising therefore that when the earlier waves of our
    immigrants reached these shores, they were to the forefront in the
    American War of Independence and in the drafting and promulgation of the
    American Declaration of Independence, and that later waves of immigrants
    quickly and enthusiastically embraced that declaration, to quote just
    one historian, ``not as a tired formula, but as an ideal to be reached
    out for and grasped.''
        It is against that background, Mr. President, that I have always
    believed that the constructive interest and support of the United States
    has the potential to be uniquely helpful in finding a solution to the
    situation in Northern Ireland, that last residual problem of a long and
    often sad history between Ireland and Britain.
        My government are determined not to allow another generation to
    suffer the scourge and savagery of violence or its demeaning and related
    manifestations: disadvantage, harassment, and discrimination.
        There are no immediate answers, no simple solutions, but there is a
    way forward. It involves courage, commitment, and imagination. It will
    require, above all, the letting go of all vestiges of triumphalism on
    every side and replacing it with a willingness and a determination to
    work together in partnership within new structures which will embrace
    and seek to reconcile the two conflicting rights and aspirations in our
    small country.
        We warmly welcome your concern, Mr. President, your commitment, and
    your active support as we take on this daunting but vital challenge. If
    we can succeed, Mr. President, in establishing in Ireland structures
    that achieve these goals, the benefits may not just be for Ireland
    alone. In a world where deeper ethnic divisions have assumed a new and
    violent prominence, it may well be that the model we create in Ireland
    will have application in similar conflict situations around the world.
        So in conclusion, Mr. President, may I thank you again for the
    hospitable American reception you have given us here today at the White
    House. In so doing, you acknowledge and honor the contribution of the
    millions of fellow Irish who have made their homes and built their
    dreams in this great land. You make us all proud.
        As we travel together now for a gathering on Capitol Hill hosted by
    another outstanding Irishman, Speaker Foley, may I extend to you, Mrs.
    Clinton, and your family our warmest best wishes on this very special
    day for all of us and convey our sincerest wish for the success of your
    administration.
        I hope Americans of all ethnic backgrounds have a wonderful St.
    Patrick's Day. And what a day in which to celebrate it here with one of
    us as President, another, Albert here on my right, and the Kennedy
    family that are a legend in Ireland, the United States, and throughout
    the world.
        The President. That was such an outstanding performance, I think the
    Prime Minister should have to answer all the questions.

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    Northern Ireland

        Q. Have you decided, Mr. President, whether or not to send a peace
    envoy or to send a fact-finding mission to Northern Ireland? And could
    you give us some idea of a timeframe for that action, please?
        The President. No, I discussed it with the Prime Minister. And we
    decided after our consultations that that is certainly an option that I
    should leave open, both of those options, and have under serious
    consideration.
        As you know, talks began last year and then were suspended. I'm very
    hopeful that the British and the Irish Governments will get back
    together and begin a serious dialog soon. I think that is a
    precondition, as I said, for the other talks proceeding. And I'm going
    to stay in touch closely with Prime Minister Reynolds. We're going to
    talk frequently, and I expect to have an Ambassador in Ireland pretty
    soon. And I'll make those decisions at what seems to me to be the
    appropriate time. I have not made them now, and I don't think it would
    be appropriate to make a final decision on that at this time.
        Q. Can we ask the Prime Minister if he likes the idea of a special
    envoy, opposes it, or would like to----
        Prime Minister Reynolds. I think we had a very long and fruitful
    discussion, both the President and myself. I gave him a fairly quick
    synopsis of the whole situation: the relationship between the two
    Governments that are excellent, between Dublin and London; the talks
    that took place last year; the progress that was made there; the
    suspension of the talks. And I think the objective of both of us, and
    indeed, the British Government included, would be to get those talks
    resumed at an earlier stage.
        We fully appreciate the keen interest and support of President
    Clinton in this regard and of his burning desire to have those talks
    recommenced. And he will keep in close consultation with all parties
    concerned so that we can get those talks resumed at the earliest
    possible date.
        Q. You don't think that a special envoy at this point would be
    helpful?
        Prime Minister Reynolds. As you have heard, the President just
    confirmed that both of those options are left open, and he will consult
    widely in the days and weeks and months ahead in relation to that. At
    the end of the day, it will be his decision.
        Q. Mr. President, have you taken on board the unionists' concerns
    about--in Northern Ireland--the suggestions that you might send somebody
    who would attempt to mediate the peace situation?
        President Clinton. Well, I don't think the United States can make
    peace in Northern Ireland, and I don't think that the unionists, the
    nationalists, anyone else would expect that. I think that we have a deep
    concern about the future of Ireland. We have a deep concern about ending
    the violence and the abuses of humanity which have been there. And I
    want to do whatever I can to support that process.
        I do believe, I'll say again, I do believe that the dialog that was
    opened not all that long ago between these two Governments in Ireland
    and Great Britain offer the real chance of producing a framework within
    which peace could occur. And I am going to continue to stay on top of
    the situation, involved in it. I'll make those decisions at a later time
    when I think they are appropriate. I think it is inappropriate now for
    me to do more than just to say that I think the Governments should in
    earnest embrace the opportunities that are before them. And I will be as
    supportive as I can. And whenever there seems to be something else I can
    do by taking further action, then I will do it. I don't want to do
    anything to undermine the peace process. I want to do something that
    will support it and reinforce it.

    Secretary of Defense Les Aspin

        Q. Mr. President, what about Secretary Aspin's health? Do you have
    to now consider, at least consider, having a new Secretary of Defense?
        The President. No, people get pacemakers all the time. No. As far as
    I know he's just doing fine.

    Northern Ireland

        Q. Mr. President, do you still support the McBride principles which
    you said in your meeting with Irish leaders in New York----
        The President. Yes, I do.

    Mayor Raymond Flynn of Boston

        What did you say about Ray Flynn?

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        Q. Aren't you concerned the country may be losing one of its better
    Mayors?
        The President. Yes, I am. [Laughter]
        Press Secretary Myers. Thank you.
        The President. It was a difficult decision for that reason. I think
    he's one of the best Mayors to serve in the United States in my
    lifetime.
        Q. Why did you offer him the job?
        The President. Because I need him and because I think he'll do a
    great job in a whole wide range of areas. And he was willing to serve,
    and I want him in the administration.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:07 p.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Valerie Place and Sean
    Devereux, Irish citizens who were killed in Somalia.