    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [May 23, 1991]
    [Page 548]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Arpad Goncz
    of Hungary
    May 23, 1991

        Q. This is for the President.
        The President. No, no. I just finished an arduous press conference.
    And I can't talk anymore about anything because I just finished what I
    would say was a full and comprehensive press conference. And the
    President might be glad to take a question, but we've got to get on----
        Q. Do you have a message for the Hungarian nation, Mr. President?
        The President. Wait a minute, this may be one I want to break the
    rule for. [Laughter] Look, in the first place, it's a pleasure to have
    President Goncz back here. I hope he feels he's among friends because he
    is. And secondly, we have great respect for what Hungary is doing and
    trying to do in the future. And it is a dramatic story. It is a
    wonderfully exciting story about democracy and free markets. And yes,
    there are some economic problems, but we want to be as helpful as we
    can. We want this new democratic country and regime to be as successful
    as possible.
        Glad you asked. Thanks. Thank you for your understanding.

                        Note: The exchange began at 10:06 a.m. in the Oval
                            Office at the White House.