[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 29 (Monday, July 24, 2000)]
[Page 1658]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Prior to Discussions With President Vladimir 
Putin of Russia in Okinawa

July 21, 2000

Middle East Peace Summit

    Q. Mr. President, are you more optimistic today about the prospects 
for a Middle East peace settlement?
    The President. All I can tell you is that they're still talking, and 
consistent with our rules, I'm still not talking. [Laughter] But I'm 
hopeful.

National Missile Defense System

    Q. Mr. President, are the two of you going to be talking about 
missile defense here today?
    The President. I'm sure we will. We talked about it last month in 
Moscow, and I'm sure we'll talk about it.

 Note: The exchange began at 6:20 p.m. at the Busena Terrace Hotel. A 
tape was not available for verification of the content of this exchange.