[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 40 (Monday, October 11, 1993)] [Pages 2011-2012] [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov] <R04> Statement by the Press Secretary on the President's Telephone Conversation With President Boris Yeltsin of Russia October 5, 1993 The President called President Yeltsin today from Air Force One to discuss the situation in Moscow. The two leaders spoke for 20 minutes. The President's purpose in calling was to express the continued, strong support of the United States for President Yeltsin and the Russian Government in the wake of the political crisis in Russia. President Yeltsin thanked the President for his support during the crisis and described the events of the last few days. He reported that order had been restored to Moscow. In response to a question from the President, he also reaffirmed his intention to hold free and fair elections on December 12 and to proceed resolutely on political and economic reform in general. The two leaders pledged to work together to continue to build close relations between the United States and Russia. The President noted in this respect his intention to implement rapidly the $2.5 billion in economic assistance funds approved by the Congress last week for Russia and the other new states. The President added that the visits to Russia this autumn of several American Cabinet of- [[Page 2012]] ficers, including Secretary of State Christopher later this month, will help to move the relationship forward.