[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000-2001, Book III)]
[November 16, 2000]
[Pages 2545-2546]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With Prime Minister Yoshiro 
Mori of Japan in Bandar Seri Begawan
November 16, 2000

APEC Summit

    Q. Mr. President, are you disappointed at the lack of consensus on 
free trade at APEC?
    The President. I might have more to say about that before we go. 
Don't be too discouraged.

2000 Presidential Election

    Q. How about the Florida court ruling, sir?
    The President. I'm over here, so I'm not sure what it means. It's 
obviously going to have to be interpreted now, since the two sides have 
a different reading on it.
    Q. How about the secretary of state denying the hand recount?
    The President. I'm over here doing this work; I don't think I should 
get involved in that. The American people deserve a full and fair count, 
and I hope the process will produce it. And they're over there debating 
it in the appropriate way. I shouldn't be involved in that.
    Q. Should Gore and Bush meet?

[[Page 2546]]

    The President. What?
    Q. Should Gore and Bush meet?
    The President. I don't think I should be involved in that.

 Note:  The exchange began at 2:20 p.m. at the Royal Brunei Golf Club. 
In his remarks, the President referred to Republican Presidential 
candidate Gov. George W. Bush. A reporter referred to Florida Secretary 
of State Katherine Harris. A tape was not available for verification of 
the content of this exchange.