[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 14 (Monday, April 6, 1998)]
[Pages 558-559]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters in Dakar

April 2, 1998

Dismissal of Paula Jones Lawsuit

    The President. Good morning.
    Q. Did you get some good news last night, Mr. President?

[[Page 559]]

    The President. Well, obviously I'm pleased by the decision, and I 
think the judge's opinion speaks for itself. Let me say, though, I'm 
also immensely pleased by this trip, and I'm very much looking forward 
to going home and continuing the work of the very ambitious agenda we've 
got there.
    Q. Mr. President, the suit was thrown out, but it did not clear your 
name. Are you disappointed by that?
    The President. Well, the nature of the motion would not permit that, 
but the most important thing is that I can go back now and continue the 
work that I'm doing. That's the most important thing to me. I want to 
get back to the business of the people.

Independent Counsel's Investigation

    Q. Mr. Starr says it has no effect on his investigation. Is that 
your view, sir?
    The President. I don't have any comment on Mr. Starr.
    Q. Mr. President, how have these last 3 years affected the 
institution of the Presidency? Has this been a good thing for the 
Presidency?
    The President. Well, let me say, I've done my best to do what every 
President who has commented on this, from George Washington forward, has 
said the President should do, which is that for the period of your 
service, insofar as possible, you should cease to be an individual 
citizen and spend all your time and energy on the country. And that's 
what I've tried to do. And I've done my best at it, and the results have 
been satisfactory, I think, for the American people. And that's what I 
intend to continue to do. Others should evaluate that question, but I 
need to keep working on the people's business, and that's what I intend 
to do.
    Thank you.

Note: The exchange began at 10:52 a.m. at the Le Meridien President 
Hotel. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this 
exchange.