*EPF311 11/15/00
Transcript: Clinton, Putin Remark on U.S. Election
(Photo opportunity in Brunei November 15) (330)

President Clinton and Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the U.S. presidential election during a photo opportunity in Brunei November 15, Putin expressing the hope that the next U.S. president will follow up on the "breakthrough" achieved by the current administration in U.S.-Russian relations and Clinton saying that foreign leaders should assume the same relaxed attitude towards the post-election process as most Americans.

Clinton and Putin were in Brunei for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference. They had met one-on-one before the photo opportunity.

Following is a transcript of their remarks:

(begin transcript)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam)

November 15, 2000

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN OF RUSSIA IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Assara Guest House
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

1:10 P.M. (L)

Q: President Clinton, any comment on the U.S. election?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, let him talk about it. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT PUTIN: (Remarks in Russian.) We're interested, but with respect to the feelings of the American people, are waiting for the outcomes.

Q: (Question asked in Russian.)

PRESIDENT PUTIN: President Clinton, during the term of his presidency, has caused a breakthrough in the U.S.-Russian relations. And we expect this torch to be given to whoever will be the successor.

Q: Mr. President, how are you going to explain what's going on back home to Mr. Putin and other foreign leaders?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think it's pretty clear that no one knows yet who won the election. There are recounts in progress, and there will be a full accounting according to an accepted legal process in America. We have plenty of time. There's nothing to worry about.

I think other leaders should have the same reaction the American people have about it. I think they are pretty relaxed about it now. They're going to let the process play out. Both sides are certainly very well represented, and they'll argue their points and we'll see how it works.

(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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