[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 48 (Monday, December 5, 1994)]
[Pages 2442-2443]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Announcing the Appointment of George Mitchell as Special Adviser 
for Economic Initiatives in Ireland

December 1, 1994

    Good morning. Ladies and gentlemen, today is the last day of this 
session of Congress. And therefore, it's the last day that all of us in 
America have the privilege of having George Mitchell as the Senate 
majority leader. I will personally miss him very much, his wise counsel, 
his support, his strong leadership for the American people.
    I know that his colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the 
American people will also miss his leadership and the thoughtfulness and 
the courage that have distinguished him throughout his long career. My 
regret about his retirement is tempered, at least in some measure, by 
the fact that as one chapter in his life of extraordinary public service 
closes, another is opening.
    Today, Senator Mitchell has agreed to work on an issue of central 
importance to me and to our country as Special Adviser to the President 
and the Secretary of State for Economic Initiatives in Ireland. We stand 
on the verge of a new and peaceful era in Northern Ireland. For over 3 
months, the historic cease-fires between the IRA and the loyalist 
parliamentary groups have held. I welcome today's invitation by Downing 
Street to Sinn Fein to begin an exploratory dialog by December the 7th.
    A just and lasting settlement that respects the rights and 
traditions of the two communities in Northern Ireland is, after so many 
years of bloodshed, finally within reach. But at this hopeful and 
historic moment, it's essential to create more economic opportunity in a 
region whose prospects have been so blighted by bloodshed. There must be 
a peace dividend in Ireland for the peace to succeed. Peace and 
prosperity depend upon one another.
    One of the most important ways that we here in the United States can 
ensure that peace takes root is to promote trade and investment in the 
areas of Ireland that have suffered the most from violence. That's why 
last month we announced our economic initiatives for Ireland. They're a 
response to the call of all the parties in the region for the 
development that will help them to lift themselves out of the cycle of 
conflict and despair.
    As we have in the past, the United States stands ready to help those 
who are taking risks for peace. To do that, we'll work in close 
cooperation with the private sector here in the United States and with 
Britain, Ireland, and other concerned parties in Europe and elsewhere. 
Ultimately of course, the success of the peace process will depend most 
on those who have been most affected, on whether they believe it will 
give them a better future.
    That's why our initiatives to help revitalize the economy are so 
important and why I wanted someone of great talent, great stature, and 
great wisdom to lead in that effort here in the United States. No one 
fills that

[[Page 2443]]

bill like George Mitchell. He will oversee the White House Conference on 
Trade and Investment in Ireland which will be held in April of next year 
in Philadelphia.
    I've asked him to ensure implementation of all the initiatives we 
announced last month, to explore additional opportunities for helping 
peace and prosperity grow in Ireland. He'll consult with the 
International Fund for Ireland, with the Congress, and with others to 
strengthen the Fund's programs. He'll also begin a dialog with the 
European Union, its individual member nations, and other nations to 
promote economic development in all these areas.
    I believe in the weeks and months ahead, the people of Ireland will 
come to respect and admire George Mitchell just as much as all of us 
here in the United States have.
    George, I am delighted today to be able to say thank you, again, for 
public service and not just farewell.

Note: The President spoke at 10:27 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House.