Post by Claret & Blue Army on Apr 23, 2007 18:09:02 GMT 1
Former Russian President between 1991 and 1999 died today.
He was 76.
Yeltsin was the first post communist and elected president of Russia following its break up from the old Soviet Union.
A more popular figure abroad than often at home he nevertheless defeated 2 potential coups from old communist hardliners as he pushed through reforms to westernise Russia.
On the last day of the 1990s he surprisingly resigned thus paving the way for his successor and current president Vladimir Putin.
His reign was often blighted by stories of his alcohol abuse once famously being unable to get off his plane on a Dublin runway to meet the local dignitaries.
Suffering a mild heart attack in the mid 90s tempered his drinking and is believed to be a major factor in his quitting the top post in 1999.
Despite his problems at home he was often viewed by the western world as a warm avuncular statesman who seemed to get on with all he met.
The world has today lost one of its favourite political figures of the 20th century
He was 76.
Yeltsin was the first post communist and elected president of Russia following its break up from the old Soviet Union.
A more popular figure abroad than often at home he nevertheless defeated 2 potential coups from old communist hardliners as he pushed through reforms to westernise Russia.
On the last day of the 1990s he surprisingly resigned thus paving the way for his successor and current president Vladimir Putin.
His reign was often blighted by stories of his alcohol abuse once famously being unable to get off his plane on a Dublin runway to meet the local dignitaries.
Suffering a mild heart attack in the mid 90s tempered his drinking and is believed to be a major factor in his quitting the top post in 1999.
Despite his problems at home he was often viewed by the western world as a warm avuncular statesman who seemed to get on with all he met.
The world has today lost one of its favourite political figures of the 20th century