Informal Exchange With Reporters
Soviet-U.S.
Relations
Q.
Mr. President, you're hearing all this. Do you feel that human rights then is still an irritant in U.S.-Soviet relations?
The President. Yes, of course. Until
it's completely eliminated, this type of political prisoner -- and we have had
great success, and the General Secretary has been more cooperative than any
Soviet leader before him. And I assume that we have these names that have been
mentioned here.
Q.
Do you feel that all the remaining political prisoners will be released, as
some have said, soon?
The President. Well, that statement
has been made, and now we can only wait and see.
Q.
Mr. President, is there a breakthrough on the PLO so far as you're concerned,
so far as accepting
The President. Well, I only know this
thing -- that apparently -- that there has been an indication that they are
willing to abide by [U.N. Security Council Resolution] 242 and hope it's true
because then that would mean some progress, although I think there are many
problems yet to be solved.
Q.
And an international conference?
Mr.
Weinberg. Thank you. Frank [Frank Sesno, Cable News
Network], we have to go.
The President. I'm not sure that's the
answer.
Q.
What is that?
The President. I'm still not sure that
that is the answer.
Note: The exchange began
at