President Clinton has refused to criticise the IRA for pulling out of talks on decommissioning and pointed out that it has "given no indication whatever that it will revert to violence."
Describing the IRA action as "an unfortunate development", the President insisted that "a year ago at this time, the Irish had no taste for what self-government was like but now the Irish have had it and like it".
The President, who last week criticised the IRA for coming forward so late with its new proposals to Gen de Chastelain, said the peace process was now "in a rough spot." The important thing was to keep it going forward and to "keep the unionists in harness".
He knew that his refusal to allot blame "is not satisfying to a lot of people who want me to be judgmental about everything. All I can say is that in private I've tried to be straightforward and clear with them."
Mr Clinton, who was replying to questions at a press conference, said he has been "working very hard" on a daily basis to try to reach a solution.
"I cannot tell you what the end will be. I can only tell you I think we are way ahead of where we would have been and a good chance we'll get there."
Asked if he had made any protest to the British government for "bringing down an elected government", the President replied that he had been in constant contact with the Irish and British governments.
"We all know what's going on. The question is how can we keep the peace process going, how can we get the institutions back up, and how can we get the Unionist Party involved and under the leadership of David Trimble, an objective I believe that Sinn Fein strongly supports. I believe they have to have people they can work with to make this thing last."
Speaking forcefully, he continued: "Our big job is to get these people back on track. In order to do it we have to honour the votes of the people of Northern Ireland."
He added: "The most important thing is to look how to keep going forward and how to keep the unionists in harness and how to find a way to comply with all the requirements, including putting those institutions back up."