Posted on 01/31/2006 11:42:47 AM PST by Tailgunner Joe
MOSCOW, January 31 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin believes it is yet too early to assess the historic role of the first Russian President, Boris Yeltsin, but renders homage to Yeltsin for the fact that Russia became a free country under him.
In reply to a request to assess his predecessor, who turns 75 on Wednesday, Putin reminded that Russia was facing “dramatic years in its development” during Yeltsin’s presidency.
Russia “was and it still is facing a turning point in its history. Radical changes in policy, in the statehood and in the social sphere were underway,” he said. “Unfortunately, those years were connected with big losses for people,” the Russian president stressed.
“One can only guess how anyone of us, including myself, would have acted in such conditions,” he continued. “We can give any characteristics to that period, and the activity of the first president. But one thing is unconditional – the people had their main gain, - freedom, during Yeltsin’s presidency of Russia,” Putin stressed.
“These are tremendous historic accomplishments of Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin,” he said. Yeltsin was Russia’s president from 1991 to 1999.
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The modern Russia' life is too controvercial.
If I may compare it with american. I would say that on ordinary level american life is much better in sense of freedom as I understand it. But russian life has not dictatorship as some like to say here.
I would say the russian life is today kind of rule by state capitalism. The rule of beurocracy.
This rule is much better then lawlessness of oligarkhy and I as many russians choose Putin over the evil face of Hodorkovsky or his payed politicans. In today Russia it is best way to riun man' political career just to mention that he took money from Hodorkovsky or other oligarkh. Next day he will be pariah, none will vote for him despite of all his ads. That is why neither Kastanov nor Kasparov are not real pretendents for even local Duma seat.
But still Russia is far from western freedom.
I think Putin will step down in 2008 but honestly I would prefer him for longer. But it is against the law of democracy as they say. Strange. In same Britain prime-minister may sit in his cheer for 15 years and no one say that is against democracy.
Probably Putin will choose his successor and the majority will vote for him.
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