Bill Clinton: “Blair of the United Kingdom in Birmingham May 15, 1998 Northern Ireland Peace Process Q. Prime Minister, have you been…”

“Blair of the United Kingdom in Birmingham May 15, 1998 Northern Ireland Peace Process Q. Prime Minister, have you been talking about the further--accord in Ireland? Prime Minister Blair. Obviously, we have discussed it, and I think that the reason why it's so important for people to understand in Northern Ireland that this is a way forward for the future is that it entrenches for the very first time the principle of consent in both the Constitution of the Republic of Ireland and in the agreements between all the parties. And I want to emphasize particularly that at the heart of this agreement is the belief that we only make progress if people give up violence for good. And we will make sure in the legislation that comes before our Parliament in order to give effect to this agreement that we make that commitment, very, very clearly expressed in that legislation, so that if people are supporting this agreement, they are supporting an end to violence once and for all. Q. Mr. President? President Clinton. Well, first let me say that, obviously, the impending vote is being watched very closely in America. Especially Irish-Americans, Protestant and Catholic alike, are passionately interested in what will happen. But we think it's clearly a decision for the Irish to make. And I would just say that, to me, as a friend from the outside, it appears to be the chance of a generation for peace.…”