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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release June 13, 1996

                        REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
              AFTER THE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE STATE DINNER

South Lawn

11:15 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Weren't they wonderful tonight? They made us all so happy. (Applause.)

I also want to say to President Robinson that she brought America a little of the luck of the Irish. I am pleased to announce to you that while we were here at dinner the long standoff with the freemen in Montana ended peacefully tonight. (Applause.)

I want to thank the FBI and the local law enforcement officials and say I am very, very proud of them. I know I speak for all of our people when we say we'll all say a little prayer tonight of gratitude for this peaceful resolution of a difficult situation. (Applause.)

Finally, you heard President Robinson say this is an Irish event and it can't end early, so after we break up, the Air Force Airmen of Note will be playing here. We urge you to stay and dance to your heart's content -- or till the angry neighbors run us off. (Laughter.) My experience is that will be quite some time. You can make it until dawn. (Laughter.)

Again, I thank you, Mary Chapin Carpenter; thank you, Mary Black; thank you, gentlemen. It was a wonderful, wonderful evening. And most of all, thank you, President Robinson. Thank you, Nick. It was wonderful for Hillary and me to have you here. Bless you. (Applause.)

PRESIDENT ROBINSON: Well, Mr. President, it's not just the luck of the Irish, I'm going to have to make a big concession here, and I'll do it graciously because that's the way we do it in Ireland -- you win. (Laughter.) You said that you would at least offer the warmth and hospitality you had received in Ireland. You win, you have done that. You have certainly more than offered that. (Applause.) And I can be truly gracious in acknowledging, as I do, that wonderful warmth and hospitality and thoughtfulness and all that today has meant, because I was thinking this evening, everything is going exactly the way it should. There's a reverse takeover taking place. The Irish are taking over this country, so all is well.

Good night. Thank you. (Applause.)

END 11:18 P.M. EDT