[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.