Bill Clinton

Because I believe that the evidence will show what I have been saying, that I did not do what I was accused of doing. It's very difficult, you know--one of the things that people learn is you can charge people with all kinds of things…

All I can tell you is I'll do my best to help them get to the bottom of it. I did not ask anybody to lie under oath. I did not do that. That's the allegation. I didn't do it. And we'll just get to the bottom of it. We'll go on. And…

But all the others, a lot of them were about serious matters. They just faded away. Mr. Lehrer. I'm not suggesting that they weren't serious----

I don't know--we finally got some blunt talk going on affirmative action. And there were some pretty compelling stories told in Phoenix the other day. But I would like to see some blunt talk. Mr. Lehrer. On affirmative action?

They've got to make the peace. Mr. Lehrer. Okay. Only the U.S. can help stabilize the economies of Asia; only the U.S. can stare down Saddam Hussein in Iraq. If there are going to be any coalitions, the U.S. has to organize them and make…

----for withdrawal. Yes. Because it--the world community really hasn't done anything like this in a while--not like this--and it's very complicated. But on the other hand, at bottom, it's about people getting along together and working…

That depends on how long it takes to achieve the mission. What I do think we should do, since it just invites recalcitrance on the part of any parties in Bosnia that don't want to do something that's in the Dayton peace agreement, if the…

If he's telling the truth, there's nothing there; and if he's not, he'd get it behind it one way or the other. And we could then--he could say, ``Okay, what grounds does the United States have now for stopping the U.N. from lifting the…

Take some hits--at least ride the roller coaster. They'll actually get their interest back---- Mr. Lehrer. If they'll hang in there.

It bothers me a lot. First of all, there's some truth to it. That is, if a country like Indonesia gets money from the International Monetary Fund to deal with its financial problems, what are its financial problems? You've got to pay notes…

No. No. You know, if I don't make any progress, I'll level with the American people and the rest of the world and tell them I'm doing my best but I'm not making any progress. But we were hitting it last night until late, and then we're…

I believe America is uniquely situated to help to broker a peace in the Middle East. I actually believe only the parties can make peace in the Middle East. I think only Israel and the Palestinians and Syria and Lebanon can join Jordan at…

Oh, no, I'm very hopeful. I was very pleased when I heard he was going. I wanted him to go, and I hope it will be a good thing. Middle East Peace Process Mr. Lehrer. The Middle East: As you said a moment ago, you met with Mr. Netanyahu…

His Holiness is a very great man, and his position on this is identical to that, as far as I know, of every other European leader. And only time will tell whether they were right or we were. Mr. Lehrer. Explain to Americans who don't…

I'm glad the Pope is going there. I hope that we will have some real progress toward freedom and opening there, and I'll work on it. But that's still mostly up to Mr. Castro. Mr. Lehrer. Why is it up to him?

Good thing. Mr. Lehrer. All right. Is the time come, maybe, for the United States to also bury some economic and political hatchets with Cuba?

Look, you know as much about this as I do right now. We'll just have to look into it and cooperate. And we'll see. But meanwhile, I've got to go on with the work of the country. I got hired to help the rest of the American people. Pope…

And I will cooperate in the inquiry of it. Mr. Lehrer. What's going on? If it's not true, that means somebody made this up. Is that--

And beyond that, I think it's very important that we let the investigation take its course. But I want you to know that that is my clear position. I didn't ask anyone to go in there and say something that's not true. Mr. Lehrer. What about…

I did not urge anyone to say anything that was untrue. I did not urge anyone to say anything that was untrue. That's my statement to you. Mr. Lehrer. Did you talk to her about it--excuse me, I'm sorry----

There is no---- Mr. Lehrer. All right. You had no conversations with this young woman, Monica Lewinsky, about her testimony, possible testimony before-- in giving a taped deposition?

There is not a sexual relationship--that is accurate. We are doing our best to cooperate here, but we don't know much yet. And that's all I can say now. What I'm trying to do is to contain my natural impulses and get back to work. I think…

Well, I think you know what it means. It means that there is not a sexual relationship, an improper sexual relationship, or any other kind of improper relationship. Mr. Lehrer. You had no sexual relationship with this young woman?

That is not true. That is not true. I did not ask anyone to tell anything other than the truth. There is no improper relationship. And I intend to cooperate with this inquiry. But that is not true. Mr. Lehrer. ``No improper…

Thank you, Jim. Independent Counsel's Investigation Mr. Lehrer. The news of this day is that Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel, is investigating allegations that you suborned perjury by encouraging a 24-year-old woman, former White…