DATE=12/31/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - RUSSIA (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-257662
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
/// EDS: Updates 2-257651 with later
information. ///
INTRO: President Clinton has paid tribute to Boris
Yeltsin for his tenure as Russia's first
democratically elected leader. In responding to Boris
Yeltsin's surprise resignation, Mr. Clinton also said
he looks forward to working with Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin, who was named acting president.
Correspondent Deborah Tate has reaction from the White
House.
Text: In a brief appearance before reporters, Mr.
Clinton praised Mr. Yeltsin for dismantling his
country's communist system and building new political
institutions under democratically elected leaders and
within a constitutional framework.
/// Clinton Act ///
He believed democracy was the best system. I
think it was in every fiber of his being. We
had our arguments; we had our fights; we had our
genuine disagreements about our national
interests from time to time. But I think that
the Russian people were well served to have a
leader who honestly believes that their votes
ought to determine who is running the show in
Russia and what the future direction of the
country should be.
/// End Act ///
In acknowledging he had his differences with Mr.
Yeltsin, - most recently over Russia's military
campaign in the breakaway region of Chechnya - Mr.
Clinton said he and his former Russian counterpart
were able to work together to advance their common
interests.
The U-S President said U-S--Russian relations under
Mr. Yeltsin's leadership produced progress for
Americans and Russians - noting that thousands of
long-range nuclear weapons were dismantled; that
Russian troops have withdrawn from Baltic nations, and
that Russian peacekeepers are now serving in the
Balkans.
Earlier, Mr. Clinton telephoned Mr. Yeltsin - with
whom he has enjoyed a close personal relationship over
the years. White House spokesman Joe Lockhart says
Mr. Clinton pledged to work with Acting President
Vladimir Putin as well as the winner of Russia's
presidential election in March.
Mr. Yeltsin, in turn, vowed that Russia would remain
committed to democracy, open markets, arms control and
its constitution.
Spokesman Lockhart described the 20-minute
conversation as "warm and personal."
Mr. Lockhart said the United States had no advance
notice of Mr. Yeltsin's resignation. He said the
alert status of the U-S military had not changed and
noted that Russia and U-S military officials were
working together to monitor any potential computer
problems related to the changeover to the year 2000.
The transfer of power in Russia is not expected to
affect U-S--Russian relations. U-S officials note
that Mr. Putin has been handling the day-to-day
affairs of the Kremlin for some time, and they have
come to know him not only through his position as
prime minister, but also as Mr. Yeltsin's national
security advisor. (Signed)
NEB/DAT/JP
31-Dec-1999 12:57 PM EDT (31-Dec-1999 1757 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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