    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [October 5, 1993]
    [Pages 1693-1694]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement by the Press Secretary on the President's Telephone
    Conversation With President Boris Yeltsin of Russia
    October 5, 1993

        The President called President Yeltsin today from Air Force One to
    discuss the situation in Moscow. The two leaders spoke for 20 minutes.
    The President's purpose in calling was to express the continued, strong
    support of the United States for President Yeltsin and the Russian
    Government in the wake of the political crisis in Russia.
        President Yeltsin thanked the President for his support during the
    crisis and described the

    [[Page 1694]]

    events of the last few days. He reported that order had been restored to
    Moscow. In response to a question from the President, he also reaffirmed
    his intention to hold free and fair elections on December 12 and to
    proceed resolutely on political and economic reform in general.
        The two leaders pledged to work together to continue to build close
    relations between the United States and Russia. The President noted in
    this respect his intention to implement rapidly the $2.5 billion in
    economic assistance funds approved by the Congress last week for Russia
    and the other new states. The President added that the visits to Russia
    this autumn of several American Cabinet officers, including Secretary of
    State Christopher later this month, will help to move the relationship
    forward.