Yeltsin resigns

The Russian president turns over powers to prime minister Vladimir Putin.

©Associated Press, December 31, 1999

MOSCOW -- Asking forgiveness for his mistakes, Boris Yeltsin stunned Russia today by announcing his resignation and saying elections will be held in 90 days for a new president to lead the nation into the new century.

Yeltsin said he was stepping down immediately because he wanted Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to succeed him. Putin, the country's most popular politician, immediately took control of the government and will serve as acting president until the elections.

Looking pale and grim in a speech on national television, the 68-year-old Yeltsin said it was time for him to go. He asked Russians to forgive him for his mistakes and for failing to realize their dreams after the fall of the Soviet Union.

"Today, on the last day of the outgoing century, I resign," said Yeltsin, speaking in front of a gaily decorated New Year's tree and a blue, red and white Russian flag with a golden Russian eagle

"I am stepping down ahead of term. I understand that I must do it and Russia must enter the new millennium with new politicians, with new faces, with new intelligent, strong, energetic people, and we who have been in power for many years must go," Yeltsin said.

It was yet another unexpected move by Yeltsin, who has presided over Russia through eight tumultuous, often chaotic years. His attempts to build a market economy were deeply flawed by corruption and incompetence, and in recent months he was often out of sight because of illnesses. Yeltsin became widely disliked and many Russians can be expected to welcome the news of his departure.

Looking emotional, Yeltsin asked several times for forgiveness for not solving Russia's problems -- a highly unusual admission from a leader who rarely admitted mistakes.

"I beg your forgiveness for having failed to jump in one leap from the gray, stagnant, totalitarian past to the clear, rich and civilized future," he said. "I want to beg forgiveness for your dreams that never came true."

"I am leaving. I've done what I could," he said.

The Russian stock market jumped to a 15-month high on the news, with dealers saying the hopes of strong new leadership after Yeltsin would boost the economy.

Yeltsin turned over to Putin the so-called nuclear suitcase, which contains the codes to launch Russia's nuclear weapons. Yeltsin also gave Putin medals symbolizing his presidential status and his presidential pen, while Russia's Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II looked on.

Yeltsin then left for his country residence outside Moscow, and Putin convened an emergency Cabinet session. The Kremlin said Yeltsin still plans to travel to Bethlehem next month for Orthodox Christmas celebrations.

President Clinton paid tribute to Yeltsin for putting a democratic structure in place in Russia. "We have had our differences, such as on Chechnya, but President Yeltsin and my starting point has always been how Russia and the United States could work together to advance common interests," Clinton said in a statement.

"In this spirit, I look forward to working with Acting President Putin as the Russian people begin this process of making the transition from one democratically elected president to the other," the statement said. Clinton was notified about the resignation before dawn by his national security adviser Sandy Berger.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the world was "more stable and secure" as a result of Yeltsin's leadership. "Boris Yeltsin has played a crucial role in the history of Russia," Blair said in a statement.

The Russian constitution requires elections within 90 days of the president's resignation, and the ITAR-Tass news agency said the presidential elections would be held around March 27.

Putin, with effective control of the government, including state media, has a huge advantage in the race to succeed Yeltsin. The resignation appeared timed to capitalize on the success of pro-Kremlin, centrist parties -- particularly those backing Putin -- in recent parliamentary elections.

Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov, who was beaten by Yeltsin in 1996 presidential elections, said, "The Yeltsin party of power has fallen." He called on his supporters to rally for a Communist presidential candidate.

Plagued for years by heart and other health problems, Yeltsin was often ill during his second term. He spent many weeks sidelined at his country residence and was largely seen as a caretaker president.

But Yeltsin continued to dominate Russian politics. He easily defeated a Communist-led effort in May to impeach him and dismissed four prime ministers in the last two years.

The Kremlin has been under constant political attack during the past year with widespread allegations of corruption, insider dealing and other irregularities. Members of the president's family, particularly his daughter Tatyana Dyachenko, have been linked to the allegations.

Prosecutors in Switzerland and Russia have been investigating the allegations, but no charges have been filed. Yeltsin reportedly had been looking for assurances for the safety of himself and his family when he steps down. Putin as president would be able to give Yeltsin the immunity he reportedly wants.

Yeltsin said he saw no point in staying in power for the last six months of his term because Putin was well-suited to take over. Yeltsin said he was confident Russia would not return to its authoritarian past and would develop as a modern democratic nation.

"I shouldn't be in the way of the natural course of history. To cling to power for another six months when the country has a strong person worthy of becoming president -- why should I stand in his way? Why should I wait? It's not in my character," Yeltsin said.

Putin, a former KGB officer, became prime minister in August. His strong handling of the war in Chechnya and no-nonsense manner has appealed to many Russians, who want strong leadership to tackle their country's enormous economic, political and social problems. Russia has experienced years of economic decline and millions live in poverty.

Putin, who had already declared that he would run for president, has indicated he would continue Yeltsin's democratic and market policies. He has talked of mixing moderate reform with the need for strong government to crush widespread lawlessness and corruption.

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