Monday, April 23, 2007

Remembering Boris Yeltsin

Boris Yeltsin, despite his shortcomings as a president, will be remembered as one of the heroes of modern. Russia. He had different stumbles, appointing and dismissing prime ministers, threatening the parliament with dissolution in case it objected to his major decisions. He was surprising in his political decisions. The biggest surprise was appointing Vladimir Putin as prime minister paving the way for him to become president. Maybe the best legacy he left was Vladimir Putin who has seen his popularity ascending with time.

He was for the west a man they could do business with, enjoying mainly the support of the USA. Through his presidency he made friends with heads of states around the world, especially with former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl

Listen to the conversation on BBC WHYS in memory of Boris Yeltsin

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Abdelilah,
Boris was quite a character. I was watching the TV clips of him and saw one of him with President Clinton. President Clinton was nearly doubled over, laughing at something Boris had said or done. I wish someone would tell us what it was!

Like all great historical characters Boris Yeltsin had something of the hero and something of the tragic about him.

He demonstrated his bravery on top of a tank in Moscow and then tragically lost control of the reform process in Russia, which led to an uncontrolled grab for state assets and the rise of the oligarchs. His achievements and his mistakes will follow the steps of the Russian people for a long time.
Perhaps though the achievement of guiding Russia to democracy, no matter how imperfectly, will be his real legacy and the lasting judgment of history.

Abdelilah Boukili said...

Hi Bill,
Thank you for your comment.
Russia now seems like a bear wakening up from hibernation. As You have heard in Putin address to the nation, Russia is seeking to regain its place on the world stage before it becomes a middle power in the face of the rise of China and India.