[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 12 (Monday, March 24, 1997)]
[Page 389]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Yeltsin 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 the President's Residence. 
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.