    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [February 9, 1995]
    [Pages 180-181]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Chancellor
    Helmut Kohl of Germany
    February 9, 1995

    1996 Presidential Campaign

        Q. Mr. President, have you heard that former Vice President Quayle
    has decided not to run for the Republican nomination?
        The President. I was literally--I was informed of that 3 minutes
    ago.
        Q. What do you think about it?
        The President. I'm a little surprised. But it's a hard decision, and
    it's an intensely personal one. I wish him well. I know it must have
    been a difficult decision for him.

    Death of J. William Fulbright

        Q. Do you have anything to say, sir, about Senator Fulbright?
        The President. Yes. As you know, he was a very close friend of mine.
    And if it hadn't been for him, I don't think I'd be here today. I had a
    wonderful visit with him and with Mrs. Fulbright over Christmas. They
    came to the White House to see the decorations, and we had a great,
    great visit. And I was in his home a few weeks before that. So I've kept
    in close touch with him in these months of his illness.
        He made an amazing contribution to the life of our country and, of
    course, to our home State. And he was a great inspiration to thousands
    and thousands of us who were young when he was a Senator and serving.
    And the country is in his debt.
        Q. Do you think you'll go to his funeral?
        The President. I certainly hope so. We're--I was informed early,
    early this morning that he had died during the night, and I told the
    folks to try to work it out.

    Surgeon General Nominee Foster

        Q. What do you think of Dr. Foster's performance on ``Nightline''?
        The President. I'm sorry to say I didn't see it because I went to
    bed early last night; I was very tired. But I heard he did quite well.

    [[Page 181]]

    And I think he's a good man. I think he just needs to keep talking about
    his life and his record and what he wants to do. I'm looking forward to
    the hearings.

    [At this point, one group of reporters left the room, and another group
    entered.]

    Russia

        Q. Mr. President, may I ask a question? Do you see eye to eye with
    the Chancellor when it comes to supporting Boris Yeltsin?
        The President. I think we are almost completely in agreement on our
    positions. Now, we haven't had a chance to talk; we've just arrived. But
    certainly over the last 2 years since I've been President, our positions
    have been the same. And we have worked very hard to try to promote
    democracy and progress within Russia. And we have done it together, and
    I think we will continue to work together on this.
        Q. Do you support economic sanctions because of the situation in
    Chechnya?
        The President. I don't think--we just started, and we haven't had a
    chance to have a conversation yet. We'll have a press conference later,
    and we'll all answer questions then.

    Note: The exchange began at 10:40 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.