[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[November 16, 1992]
[Pages 2166-2168]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's Meeting With 
President Chaim Herzog of Israel
November 16, 1992

    President Bush met today with Israeli President Herzog at his 
request. The two leaders discussed U.S.-Israeli relations, the ongoing 
Middle East peace negotiations,

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and the Middle East generally. It was agreed that the United States must 
remain engaged if peace is to be achieved in the Middle East.

Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's Meeting With 
Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis of Greece

November 17, 1992
    The President met for approximately 45 minutes this afternoon in the 
Oval Office with Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis of Greece. The 
two leaders discussed Cyprus, the situation in the former Yugoslavia, 
and other European issues. On the issue of Macedonia, the President 
reiterated our strong hope that this issue be resolved as soon as 
possible.

Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's Meeting With 
President-Elect Bill Clinton

November 18, 1992
    President Bush and President-elect Clinton had a warm and 
informative conversation in the Oval Office today which lasted for 1 
hour and 45 minutes. President Bush reviewed a number of trouble spots 
around the world and discussed United States policy in these areas.
    At approximately 2:15 p.m., the President and President-elect 
visited their transition staffs in the Roosevelt Room. President Bush 
said he wanted a smooth transition and said he appreciated the task that 
lay ahead of the transition team. The transition meeting was attended by 
Secretary Andrew Card, Chase Untermeyer, and Bob Zoellick representing 
the administration; Vernon Jordan, Warren Christopher, Alexis Herman, 
and Mark Gearan representing President-elect Clinton. The discussion 
focused on procedures for making appointments, including FBI clearances 
and financial disclosure forms.
    The two transition teams will maintain regular contacts. Secretary 
Card will maintain a small staff here in the White House and will 
oversee three transition phases: President Bush's departure and 
establishment of an office in Houston; the transfer of authority from 
the Bush administration to the Clinton administration; and the process 
of transferring Presidential papers to the Archives or Presidential 
library.
    Both President Bush and President-elect Clinton expressed 
satisfaction with the meeting.

Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on Withdrawal of 
Russian and Commonwealth of Independent States Armed Forces from the Baltic 
Countries

November 19, 1992
Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    In accordance with the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and 
Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1993 (Public

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Law 102-391), I am submitting the attached report on progress being made 
toward the withdrawal of the armed forces of Russia and the Commonwealth 
of Independent States (CIS) from the territories of Estonia, Latvia, and 
Lithuania and on the status of negotiations regarding the establishment 
of a timetable for total withdrawal.
    Sincerely,

                                                             George Bush

                    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. 
                        Foley, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
                        and Dan Quayle, President of the Senate.