*EPF505 07/21/00
Transcript: Clinton Remarks in Photo Opportunity with Putin July 21
(Says he's "hopeful" for a peace settlement in Mideast talks) (200)

During a photo opportunity with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in Okinawa, Japan July 21, President Clinton says as the Middle East talks continue, he's "hopeful" that there can be a peace settlement.

Following is the White House transcript:

(begin transcript)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

July 21, 2000

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN OF RUSSIA

Okinawa, Japan

6:20 P.M. (L)

QUESTION: 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. But I'm hopeful --

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.

6:21 P.M. (L)

(end transcript)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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