Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's Telephone Conversation With President Boris Yeltsin of Russia

The President and President Yeltsin spoke for 20 minutes today. The President called to brief President Yeltsin on his meetings with Chancellor Kohl and said both the U.S. and Germany agreed on the need to support Russia's courageous economic reforms and would work with their G - 7 partners to promote strong international support for the reforms. The President reaffirmed U.S. commitment to continued humanitarian and technical assistance efforts.

President Yeltsin briefed the President on the results of the C.I.S. heads of state meeting in Kiev, particularly on military and nuclear issues. He also reported C.I.S. willingness to actively work for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh.