(6/17/92)
  
  
            TALKING POINTS ON THE BUSH-YELTSIN SUMMIT
  
 o President Bush views the promotion of democracy and freedom in
   Russia and the other commonwealth states as a once-in-a-
   lifetime opportunity. Having spent trillions of dollars
   fighting a Cold War, the President firmly believes the United
   States should take the lead by investing in winning the peace.
  
 o The Bush-Yeltsin summit is based on building a shared
   commitment to democracy and freedom -- in marked contrast to
   U.S.-Soviet summits, which were based on containing ideological
   competition and a balance of nuclear terror.
  
 o The President regards President Yeltsin as a partner in
   building a safer world. He believes Yeltsin has taken
   courageous and significant steps toward democracy and a free
   market, and should be rewarded for his efforts.
  
 o To promote Yeltsin's strides toward economic reform and to
   encourage trade and investment in Russia, the President
   proposed the Freedom Support Act and announced U.S.
   participation in a multilateral $24 billion aid package on
   April 1st.  President Bush has steadfastly called on the
   Congress to join him in demonstrating America's commitment to
   democracy and freedom by passing the Freedom Support Act.
  
 o During their meetings, Presidents Bush and Yeltsin plan to
   discuss a full range of political, economic and military
   issues, including.
  
      o Russian Democracy -- The President is interested in
        hearing Yeltsin's assessment of conditions in Russia, and
        his efforts to build democracy.
  
      o Russian relations with its neighbors -- President Bush is
        also interested in discussing Russia's relations with its
        neighbors, particularly Ukraine, the Baltics, and the
        trans-Caucasus states.
  
      o European security -- The two leaders will discuss issues
        affecting European security, particularly the situation in
        Yugoslavia, and possible mechanisms to bring peace to
        strife-torn regions.
  
      o Arms control -- Presidents Bush and Yeltsin will address
        steps to reduce strategic nuclear arsenals, seeking
        nuclear stability at radically reduced levels.
  
 o No longer enemies, the U.S. and Russia stand together as
   partners who defeated Soviet communism.  President Bush is
   firmly committed to helping bring lasting democracy and freedom
   to Russia by supporting the courageous efforts of President
   Yeltsin.