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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release December 3, 1996

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

Northern Ireland's Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader David Trimble and National Security Adviser Anthony Lake met this afternoon for an hour to discuss the peace process in Northern Ireland. Mr. Trimble was joined by former Ulster Unionist leader Sir James Molyneaux and party secretary Jeffrey Donaldson. The Vice President joined the meeting for a brief period as well.

Mr. Lake and Mr. Trimble exchanged views on the current status of peace talks in Northern Ireland; both expressed their support for serious and substantive negotiations in Belfast under the able chairmanship of former Senator George Mitchell.

Mr. Lake reiterated the Administration s commitment to working with the parties in Northern Ireland, and with the British and Irish governments, in their efforts to achieve a just, democratic and lasting settlement. He also underscored our strong view that the cease-fire be restored immediately. Mr. Lake expressed the Administration's hope that inclusive and substantive talks would move forward as quickly as possible.