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New Year, New Russian President
( January 1, 2000)

The 1900's are over, Y2K appears to be bust and Russia has a new leader. Which one of these stories did you miss over the holiday break?

On the eve of the new year, Russian President Boris Yeltsin stepped down, turning over power to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Putin will act as Russia's number one until official presidential elections in March.

The power shift in Russia delighted some and upset others, but all agree that it is a very important development. To many Russians, Yeltsin's administration was corrupt and his poor health was bringing the country down. But most people say they will remember Yeltsin as a hero.

The first elected president

Boris Yeltsin came to power during a turbulent time in Russia. Communism was declared a failed experiment. The Soviet Union was dissolved, replaced by a collection of republics independent of Russia. And the Cold War, which affected life all over the world, was ending. Russians were trying to make sense of a new form of government and a new national identity.

In 1991, Yeltsin grabbed the world's attention by climbing a tank to stop the Communist Party from arresting president Gorbachev. Yeltsin, then a member of Parliament, won the hearts of Russians and promised to continue reforms, only faster.

With democracy as a platform, Yeltsin became Russia first popularly elected president.

Reform comes at a high price

But reform in Russia is a terribly difficult task. Before Gorbachev, everything in Russia was owned and run by the government. Now, the leaders had to teach people business skills and how to deal with a free market where supply and demand determine prices. Inflation soared and so did unemployment. Government corruption became a huge problem, as did a Russian mafia and crime.

Despite these setbacks, Yeltsin won reelection in 1996. But in 1998, the ruble (Russian dollar) collapsed and the country went into a deep recession. Yeltsin's own behavior became increasingly erratic. He fired his entire governmental cabinet and replaced his Prime Minister four times. He stumbled at official functions and fell asleep at meetings. Rumors circulated that he was an alcoholic, and concerns over his health became widespread. Yeltsin had suffered two heart attacks in his first term and had several bouts of pneumonia during his second.

Moreover, the West criticized Russia for its opposition to the NATO bombing campaign in Kosovo and their continued fighting in Chechnya.

A leader in war and secrecy

The war with Chechnya is actually how many news junkies first came to hear about Vladimir Putin. He was directly in charge of Russian forces before becoming acting president.

Vladimir Putin is the first Russian president born after World War 2 and he is the heavy favorite to win the presidential elections in March.

Putin is a former KGB agent who has taken a hard line approach against rebels in Chechnya. Chechnya is trying to break away from the Russian republic. The country is made up of mostly Muslims in the heavily Orthodox Russia. Chechnya and Russia fought a war in 1994, but after many Russian soldiers died, the government pulled back its troops.

But in 1999, terrorist bombings in Moscow were blamed on Chechen rebels and their neighbors in Dagestan. Russia began an aggressive bombing campaign.

Putin is credited for the success of Russian troop advances in Chechnya. Under his gun, troops have pushed rebels back to the capital city of Grozny.

But his military tactics have drawn harsh criticism from the United States. Chechen civilians have been driven from their homes. And some human rights organizations say Russia is committing war crimes in Chechnya.

Putin's first week

Putin's first official act was to pardon Yeltsin from any charges of corruption. After that, he fired Yeltsin's daughter, who was working as the "presidential imagemaker," and reshuffled advisors. He has also visited Chechnya and cheered on the Russian troops there.

Meanwhile, Yeltsin is doing what many retired people do this time of year: traveling to warmer climates. This week he is in Jerusalem, touring the Holy City for the first time.

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