    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [March 11, 1993]
    [Pages 277-278]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With the National Conference
    of State Legislatures
    March 11, 1993

    President Boris Yeltsin of Russia

        Q. Mr. President, do you think Yeltsin's going to survive?
        The President. I think that he is the duly elected President of
    Russia and a genuine democrat, small ``d,'' and that he is leading a
    country that is trying bravely to do two things: one, escape from
    communism into market economics, a world they never lived in before; and
    second, to preserve real democracy. That's a tough job. It's pretty hard
    to do here. [Laughter]
        I intend to do what I can to be supportive of that process and to be
    supportive of him while he serves as President of Russia. I don't know
    what else to tell you. I'm not a seer. I don't know what's going to
    happen to him or to me tomorrow. But I've got confidence in him. I'm
    going to work with him as long as I can.

    Attorney-General-Designate Janet Reno

        Q. What about Janet Reno?
        The President. I'm elated by that. I had some Senators in the
    office, and I said, ``That may be the only vote I carry 98 to 0 this
    year.'' But I enjoyed it. She's an extraordinary person, and I think she
    will do well.
        We've got to go. Thank you.
        Q. When is she going to be sworn in?
        The President. When?
        Q. When?
        The President. Soon, I hope. I've been waiting

    [[Page 278]]

    for someone in the Justice Department for a while now.

    Note: The exchange began at 4:15 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House.