    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 4 (Monday, January 27, 1997)]
    [Page 73]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Exchange With Reporters on Departure for Chicago, Illinois

    January 22, 1997

    16th Street Explosion

        Q. [Inaudible]--the explosion near the abortion clinic this
    morning--any thoughts on that?
        The President. Let me say that we do not yet have all the facts
    involving the incidents this morning. But Federal officials are working
    with the local law enforcement officials to get to the bottom of this. I
    want to emphasize again, as I had to do just a few days ago, that acts
    of violence against people who are trying to exercise their
    constitutional rights are acts of terror. They are illegal. They are
    wrong. And we will do our very best to investigate them, to catch who is
    doing it, and to make sure they're punished. But as to the incidents
    this morning, we are still investigating them. The facts are unfolding.
    Whatever happened, there is never an excuse for an act of violence
    against someone exercising a constitutional right.
        Q. [Inaudible]--at the Mayflower, Mr. President?
        The President. We're on top of the situation, I believe. We're doing
    our very best. And obviously I'm concerned about the safety of anybody
    involved that might be subject to that sort of thing. But the
    investigators are there, and we're working hard on it.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:14 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House.