[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.