Bill Clinton: “Maybe the Prime Minister ought to answer that. Prime Minister Bruton. I would like to say that I completely endorse what…”

“Maybe the Prime Minister ought to answer that. Prime Minister Bruton. I would like to say that I completely endorse what the President just said. On the contrary, I think an immediate cease-fire would have advantages that a postponed cease-fire wouldn't necessarily carry. I think it would set a policy position in regard to Sinn Fein's participation in talks in place before an election which would carry through into the next British Parliament in a much more durable way, whereas a postponed cease-fire after the election would go into the term of office of a new government, with perhaps a new opposition, and there would be much less certainty about the response. So I agree entirely with what the President has said. I think from every point of view, the point of view of their own movement, from the point of view of maximum opportunity, from the point of view of maximum durability of inclusive talks, a cease-fire now is the right choice for the republican movement to make. And I'm very, very heartened that the President has said that again in such clear terms.”