Exchange With Reporters Prior to Meeting With Foreign Minister David Levi of Israel

Repeal of U.N. Resolution 3379

The President. It was very significant. It was an action that I think will make the United Nations much more effective. And it is long overdue. And that resolution shouldn't have been passed in the first place, but I think we all heralded the repeal of it, and I know it was a great day for Israel as well as for the United States and many, many other countries. So, we're very pleased.

And I had a lovely call from Prime Minister Shamir about it yesterday afternoon.

Middle East Peace Talks

Q. What are you doing to prod the peace talks, Mr. President? They seem to be on dead center.

The President. We're going to talk about that in a minute, so I won't take any questions. We, unfortunately, have a short amount of time here. But I've been looking forward to -- --

The Economy

Q. Could you comment on the polls and the economy, sir?

The President. Oh, you know me, I don't comment on polls. But on the economy, we've got to get it straightened out. Everybody has to pitch in and get that going. But no polling. We're not going to live or die by polls.

Q. What about the fact that -- --

The President. No, I said no more, hey, you didn't hear what I said, Rita [Rita Beamish, Associated Press]? I'm not going to take any more.

Q. What about the fact that -- --

The President. No, you didn't hear what I told Rita. [Laughter]

Thank you very much, though. Welcome, everybody. It's a great day, and we're very pleased to see you.

Q. It sounds like you're giving the polls a new -- you've taken a new look.

Q. None of the Arab countries in the peace process, however, joined with the United States in fighting the resolution. Do you have a reaction to that?

The President. Some have a little difficulty hearing.