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U.S. Department of State 93/03/24 News Conference following meeting with Russian ForMin Office of the Spokesman Opening statement by Secretary of State Warren Christopher at a news conference following a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Kozyrev, Washington, DC March 24, 1993 Preparations for US-Russia Summit Foreign Minister Kozyrev and I have just completed our pre-summit meetings here today. Foreign Minister Kozyrev had a very good meeting with President Clinton, and, as you know, he met with a number of other officials, both on Capitol Hill as well as in other government departments. I think our meetings established a very good, productive framework for the summit meeting that, of course, will take place on the 3rd and 4th of April in Vancouver between President Clinton and President Yeltsin. Summit preparations were the principal reason for our getting together, and I think we achieved the result we wanted to on that subject. During the course of our conversations, we reviewed the current political situation in Russia. The Foreign Minister stressed President Yeltsin's determination to break the political impasse there by enabling the people to express their will. The Foreign Minister has given me President Yeltsin's assurance that he would do all he could to protect basic freedoms and civil liberties as Russia proceeds in this very historic transformation. President Clinton and I assured the Minister of our strong support for the economic and political reforms that have been set forth in this process by President Yeltsin. The success of this most historic effort in Russia is of great importance to the United States and is a reflection of the partnership between the United States and Russia. In laying the groundwork for the summit and in our discussions over the last 36 hours, we discussed ways to broaden and deepen the US-Russian partnership. And we discussed, of course, a number of problems around the world: in the Middle East, where we are cosponsors, and in the former Yugoslavia, where there are some grave problems. It was very reassuring to be able to engage with the Foreign Minister on such grave problems in the spirit of mutual and common interests. We believe this kind of partnership will serve the interests of our two countries as well as the world as a whole. I agree with the Minister that this partnership has unlimited potential and [is] one that we are determined to build upon. I've enjoyed my opportunity to deepen my relationship and friendship with the Minister and look forward to seeing him in Vancouver. (###)