The Irish Government have welcomed from the outset President Clinton's consistent interest and concern in relation to Northern Ireland.
In the course of my meeting with the President in Washington on 16 November, I explained to him the importance which the Government attached to the efforts which we were making with the British Government at that time to create a framework capable of delivering lasting peace, stability and reconciliation. I found him to be extremely supportive of these efforts and willing to make whatever contribution he could to assist them towards a successful conclusion.