Exchange With Reporters During Discussions With Baltic Leaders in Riga, Latvia

Baltic Nations and Russia

Q. Mr. President, did you make any progress in your conversation with Mr. Yeltsin?

The President. I think we're making good progress. I think we're making good progress toward completing the troop withdrawals on schedule, working out some of the remaining controversies over the rights of Latvian minorities. I feel good about it.

We talked about that here, as well as about our economic cooperation. And this agreement is, I think, just the beginning of what will be a long and very deep relationship between these two countries and with the United States and the Baltics generally.

Q. Did Yeltsin give you a firm commitment on August 31 withdrawal?

The President. Well, he certainly clearly wants to complete the troop withdrawal, and he's worked very hard. You know, this has been a priority issue between the two of us, and I think that it will proceed apace. I feel good about where we are right now.