[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 12 (Monday, March 29, 1993)]
[Page 493]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Chancellor Helmut Kohl 
of Germany

 March 26, 1993

Russia

    Q. Mr. President, are you going to brief Mr. Kohl about your aid 
package, what your plans are?
    The President. Well, we're going to discuss Russia and what we might 
both do. But we haven't met yet, so I can't say any more.
    Q. Mr. President, have you received any word from Moscow how Yeltsin 
is doing? Are you further encouraged today, sir?
    The President. Things look pretty good today. I think--they seem to 
be making progress toward----
    Q. Are you comfortable speaking in German, Mr. President?
    The President. No, but I understand a lot of what the Chancellor 
says. Perhaps not as much as what he understands what I say.

Serbia

    Q. Mr. President, how long should the Serbs be given before you push 
to lift the embargo?
    The President. Well, let me say I just hope the Serbs will sign the 
agreement now.

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.