Leaders from around the world hope Yeltsin's successor can improve Russia's feeble economy and its relations with the West

December 31, 1999
Web posted at: 6:50 p.m. EST (2350 GMT)

In this story: Dismantling of communism a lasting achievement U.N. secretary-general praises leadership Departure won't solve nation's problems Style of announcement 'vintage Yeltsin' RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- After Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned Friday as president of the Russian Federation, leaders from around the world praised him for his role in steering his country from communism to democracy.

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Many expressed surprise at the announcement, but added that they hope Yeltsin's successor could improve Russia's feeble economy and its troubled relations with the West.

U.S. President Bill Clinton hailed the "historic tenure" of the Russian president. "Under (Yeltsin's) leadership since 1991, the Russian people have faced the unprecedented challenge of creating new institutions and building a new life after decades of corrosive communist rule," Clinton told reporters outside the White House.

"His lasting achievement has been dismantling that communist system and building new political institutions under democratically elected leaders within a constitutional framework," Clinton said.

In London, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said in a statement released through his Downing Street office that, "Boris Yeltsin has played a crucial role in the history of Russia."

"He has steered his country through a most difficult and painful transition ... We now look forward to the presidential elections when the Russian people will decide on Boris Yeltsin's successor and take a further step towards embedding the democratic process."

In a nationally televised speech, the 68-year-old Yeltsin announced Friday that he was resigning immediately and handing over powers to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin until Russia's presidential elections in March.

Yeltsin also apologized to the nation for failing to fulfill their dreams during his eight years of power, a period in which his health deteriorated and his leadership became increasingly bogged down by alleged corruption and scandal.

Yeltsin said he was not leaving because of his health, but because it was "time to go"

Leaders of the ex-Soviet republics of Georgia, Armenia and Ukraine also praised Yeltsin for opening up the country, as did U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Annan, who in recent weeks has criticized Yeltsin for Russia's military assault on the breakaway republic of Chechnya, wrote a letter to Yeltsin praising him for his role in guiding Russia from communism to democracy.

While many leaders said they looked ahead eagerly to the presidential elections, they also offered congratulations to Putin, who is the strong favorite to win in March.

In Japan, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said "I hope that Yeltsin's successor will continue the current reforms in politics and the economy." He added that Putin struck him as "a fearless and aggressive leader."

Portugal, Spain and Germany also expressed hope that a new leader in Russia would improve the nation's handling of international affairs.

"It is to be hoped that the new person in charge of the (Russian) presidency demonstrates greater agility in foreign affairs and is able to listen to and interpret the voice of the international community in problems like Chechnya which require more constructive attitudes by Russia," said a statement from the Foreign Ministry in Portugal.

Yeltsin handed over the codes to Russia's nuclear arsenal to Putin, who will serve as acting president

But some leaders emphasized that Yeltsin's departure won't solve Russia's many problems.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia has experienced years of economic decline and millions live in poverty. Efforts to build a market economy have had little effect on most people's lives and millions of pensioners and workers go months without being paid.

Yeltsin's relations with the West have also soured recently over Russia's military offensive in Chechnya and NATO's attack on Yugoslavia earlier this year.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebaek, who is also chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said that while the war in Chechnya "has clouded the last months of his presidency," Yeltsin deserved praise as Russia's first popularly elected president.

While most governments were surprised by Friday's announcement, many officials said they did not find it entirely unexpected.

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said despite persistent rumors that the resignation would happen, many people were surprised when "it really (did) happen."

Albright said she was "encouraged and pleased" by the smoothness of the transition of power. She added she looked forward to working with Putin.

As for the dramatic way in which he resigned, many said that was vintage Yeltsin. Yeltsin's sudden departure was "an expression of the dramatic person he is," Foreign Minister Helveg Petersen told reporters in Denmark.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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