    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [March 21, 1997]
    [Page 331]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Boris
    Yeltsin of Russia in Helsinki
    March 21, 1997

    Russia and NATO

        Q. President Yeltsin, do you consider NATO a threat to Russia, or
    are you convinced otherwise by now?
        President Yeltsin. Well, I'm not convinced otherwise.
        President Clinton. We'll have a press conference later, guys.
        Q. You guys always give us a surprise when you meet, Mr. President.
    Do you expect any surprises today?
        President Yeltsin. Perhaps through the course of the discussions we
    may have some surprises. We won't have any surprises at the end of the
    discussions.

    Note: The exchange began at 9:43 a.m. at Mantyniemi, the residence of
    President Martti Ahtisaari of Finland. President Yeltsin spoke in
    Russian, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter. A tape was
    not available for verification of the content of this exchange.