THE WHITE HOUSE

                     Office of the Press Secretary

________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release                                       July 3, 1996



		     STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT


As we wait to receive the final results of the Russian elections, and
as our nation prepares to celebrate our own freedom and independence, I
want to recognize the historic significance of what we have seen in
Russia today.

From Vladivostok to Kaliningrad, tens of millions of Russians returned
to the polls to complete the process of selecting their President.  The
Russian people can take real pride in this extraordinary achievement.
After centuries of imperial rule, and decades of communist oppression,
they have asserted their right to have a voice in the decisions that
affect their lives.  This election process shows just how far Russia's
political reform has come over the last five years.

The American people can take pride as well in our steady support for
Russia's democratic reform. As the results are counted, we will shortly
learn the choice of the Russian people.  But one thing is clear:  Today
was a triumph for democracy in Russia.

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