[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 21 (Monday, May 31, 1993)]
[Page 942]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With House Democratic Leaders

 May 25, 1993

White House Travel Office

    Q. Mr. President, we haven't actually been able to get your view on 
the dealings the White House had with the FBI on all this travel stuff. 
Could you tell us what your view of all that is? Was it appropriate? Did 
you know about it?
    The President. The only thing I know is that we made a decision to 
save the taxpayers and the press money. That's all I know. We saved 25 
percent on the first plane ride and saved the taxpayers a bunch of 
money. Any other questions, I'll just refer you to Mr. McLarty----
    Q. Was it your decision to go around the Attorney General and have 
the FBI issue a very rare statement?
    The President. I had nothing to do with any decision, except to try 
to save the taxpayers and the press money. The press has been 
complaining for years that they were overcharged by the way the thing 
was done before. The first trip out we saved 25 percent for the press, 
and the taxpayers saved a lot of money. That's all I know about it.

Note: The exchange began at 8:45 a.m. in the State Dining Room at the 
White House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of 
this exchange.