Farin Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 [bigger]Russia's former president Yeltsin dies: Kremlin[/bigger] [smaller]By Guy Faulconbridge © Reuters Link[/smaller] MOSCOW (Reuters) - Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who buried the Soviet Union then led Russia through its chaotic first years of independence, died on Monday aged 76, the Kremlin said. Many Russians initially viewed Yeltsin as a hero for dismantling Communist rule. His finest hour came when, in 1991, he clambered onto a tank and raised his fist in defiance of hardline coup plotters who wanted to turn back the clock. But his economic "shock therapy" cast millions into poverty and his last years in office were marked by chaos, erratic behaviour combined with persistent reports of drunkenness, and bloody conflict with Chechen rebels. "Today, at 15:45 (1145 GMT) Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin died in the Central Clinical Hospital as a result of a deteriorating cardio-vascular problem," said a Kremlin spokeswoman. Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet president, whom Yeltsin effectively forced from office, paid tribute to his achievements, and noted his shortcomings. "I express the very deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, on whose shoulders rest major events for the good of the country, and serious mistakes," Gorbachev said. "A tragic fate," said Gorbachev, who had bitter relations with Yeltsin in his lifetime. Yeltsin had for years been dogged by heart problems that required multiple heart bypass surgery while he was still in office. His deteriorating health ultimately forced him to anoint Vladimir Putin as his successor and step aside seven years ago. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in Moscow for talks with Putin, said Yeltsin was an important figure. "No Americans at least will forget seeing him standing on the tank outside of the White House resisting a coup attempt." PEASANT FAMILY Yeltsin ruled Russia from 1991 to the last day of 1999, when he handed over power to Putin. He had the distinction of becoming the first Russian leader to step down voluntarily. Many of Yeltsin's contemporaries in the democracy movement alleged Putin had betrayed Yeltsin's legacy by dismantling democracy, but once in retirement he never returned to public politics. Born into a poor peasant family in an industrial region in the Ural mountains, Yeltsin lived with his family in one room of a wooden hut. He studied civil engineering and rose to become a successful construction manager before switching to work for the local Communist party. Gorbachev, looking for thrusting managers to re-invigorate Soviet rule, summoned him to Moscow to become the capital's party chief. He was sacked for his maverick style but in 1989 he was elected to the new Soviet Congress of People's Deputies and in June 1991 he was elected president of Russia -- still within the Soviet Union -- in a landslide. Two months later, he faced down tanks in the Moscow streets, and six months after that, he signed a treaty with the leaders of Ukraine and Belarus abolishing the Soviet Union altogether. Yeltsin, triumphant, became president of a sovereign Russia. (Additional reporting by Vera Kalian) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Here's mud in yer eye , Boris ! * Hic* Cheers , you nutty Russian you ! Did I ever tell ya 'bout the time I jumped on a tank... oh... or was I tanked - I did eh ? ... Well , piss off then ! ...*hic*... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcM Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 I suppose cremating him is out of the question. You know, for safety reasons... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 I know what I posted seems disrespectful to some , but Yeltsin's time in office strikes me as similar as if the ' father of the ( democratic ) US ' was W.C Fields ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Wasn't he that guy with Natasha on the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Fish Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 The death of a brillient man....burned out like a lightbulb...God bless you Mr.Yeltsin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Maybe he wasn't screwed all the way in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Fish Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Well, something about him was loose thats for sure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edna Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Yes, Blue shif, pray for his soul... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Maybe he wasn't screwed all the way in? Gawwd , I miss the Cold War ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miamisammy29 Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 I thought Yeltsin was dead for five years now. Then who's this Putzin guy that runs the joint now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 He's also the closer for Kansas City - just a hobby I guess ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Fish Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Yes, Blue shif, pray for his soul... Pray who for his soul what? I no longer believe theres anyone to pray to.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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