    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [May 11, 1995]
    [Page 679]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Opposition Leaders in
    Moscow
    May 11, 1995

        Q. Good morning, Mr. President.
        The President. Good morning. How are you?
        Q. Very good, sir. Does President Yeltsin have any reason to be
    upset at this meeting you're having this morning?
        The President. I don't think so. I'm looking forward to this
    breakfast. I want to have this opportunity mostly just to listen to all
    these leaders talk about the conditions here in Russia, what the people
    are going through. It's an opportunity for me to learn and to
    reemphasize that I came on this trip because, first, I wanted to express
    the feelings of the United States on the 50th anniversary of the end of
    World War II and to finally acknowledge the enormous sacrifice of the
    Russian people and, secondly, because I am trying to increase the
    security of the people of America and the people of Russia in this
    partnership. So I'm glad to have a chance to have this meeting.
        Q. What are you going to tell them?
        The President. Just what I told you just now. I'm going to listen.
    I'm going to listen.
        Q. Do you think you have--you've been emphasizing the security
    aspect of your trip. Do you think you've succeeded?
        The President. Yes. We're in better shape than we were before I got
    here. It was a good trip.

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

        Q. [Inaudible]--did you run today, Mr. President? Did you run today?
        The President. I didn't. I ran yesterday, and I was----
        Q. What about today?
        The President. ----in the gym this morning. I ran away from the
    weather. I worked out in the gymnasium at the hotel. I was weak today. I
    gave in to the weather.

    Note: The exchange began at 8:45 a.m. at Spaso House. A tape was not
    available for verification of the content of this exchange.