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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release February 12, 1996

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The President joined a meeting with Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble and National Security Advisor Anthony Lake. The meeting followed a lunch hosted by Mr. Lake which also included Ken Maginnis, Jeffrey Donaldson, Deputy National Security Advisor Nancy Soderberg and Director for European Affairs Mary Ann Peters.

The President and Mr. Lake reiterated in the strongest terms their condemnation of the bombing by the IRA in London on Friday. The President declared that terrorists must not be allowed to derail the effort to bring peace to Northern Ireland and reiterated his determination to do everything possible to help the people of Northern Ireland in pressing forward with that effort. Those who resort to violence must not be allowed to set the agenda for the vast majority of the people of Northern Ireland, who are firmly committed to peace and democracy.

The President and Mr. Lake underscored the need to reestablish the cease-fire and press forward toward a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Northern Ireland. They discussed with Mr. Trimble his proposal for an election in Northern Ireland and urged that this and other proposals be discussed urgently to move the process forward. They noted that the U.S. remains in touch with both governments and all parties in the effort to find a way to move forward.

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