The United States strongly condemns the decision of the Nigerian Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) to confirm the death sentences of environmental and human rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight co-defendants. These death sentences were imposed as a consequence of a gravely flawed judicial process conducted outside the traditional judicial system and without regard for due process.

Minister Kono, Minister Hashimoto, Excellencies, colleagues, and friends: It is a pleasure to join you at this year's ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Let me take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to our Japanese hosts. Prime Minister Murayama, Minister Kono, Minister Hashimoto, and their colleagues have worked hard to make our meetings in Osaka a success. After six years of progress and vision, APEC now faces a crucial seventh year of decision. As the guiding force for economic growth and integration in the world's most dynamic region, APEC must not only sustain the momentum it has achieved over the last two years. It must begin to take concrete and far­reaching actions to open up trade and investment in the Asia­Pacific region. If APEC is truly to make history, it must produce results.

Q. President Jiang, are you still hoping for a promise from President Clinton that the Taiwan President will not be allowed to visit America again?

President Clinton. We don't have prepared statements, but we will each make a very brief statement and then we'll take a couple of questions.

The summit of July 1994 marked an important stage in the history of the Atlantic alliance. On this occasion, the chiefs of state of our governments defined the principle directions for the Alliance in the coming years: on one hand, that the Alliance should engage itself resolutely in new missions required by the new strategic realities in Europe; on the other, that it should adapt its structures towards the end of bringing its full weight to bear on the development of a European Security and Defense Identity.

The Vice President met for almost an hour today with the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, David Trimble. The President joined them for part of the meeting. The focus of the discussion was the peace process in Northern Ireland.

This Action Plan for expanding and deepening U.S.-EU relations reflects a framework with four shared goals:

• Promoting peace and stability, democracy and development around the world;

• Responding to global challenges;

• Contributing to the expansion of world trade and closer economic relations;

• Building bridges across the Atlantic.

President Clinton. Please be seated. Good afternoon. It's a pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Peres back to the White House. For as long as there has been a prospect of peace in the Middle East, Shimon Peres has stood at the forefront, striving to bring a new day of security and harmony to the people of Israel and to all the people of the region.