DATE=12/31/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CLINTON - RUSSIA (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-257662
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

            /// EDS: Updates 2-257651 with later 
information. ///

INTRO:   President Clinton has paid tribute to Boris 
Yeltsin for his tenure as Russia's first 
democratically elected leader.  In responding to Boris 
Yeltsin's surprise resignation, Mr. Clinton also said 
he looks forward to working with Prime Minister 
Vladimir Putin, who was named acting president.  
Correspondent Deborah Tate has reaction from the White 
House.


Text:  In a brief appearance before reporters, Mr. 
Clinton praised Mr. Yeltsin for dismantling his 
country's communist system and building new political 
institutions under democratically elected leaders and 
within a constitutional framework.

            /// Clinton Act ///

      He believed democracy was the best system.  I 
      think it was in every fiber of his being.  We 
      had our arguments; we had our fights; we had our 
      genuine disagreements about our national 
      interests from time to time.  But I think that 
      the Russian people were well served to have a 
      leader who honestly believes that their votes 
      ought to determine who is running the show in 
      Russia and what the future direction of the 
      country should be.

            /// End Act ///

In acknowledging he had his differences with Mr. 
Yeltsin, - most recently over Russia's military 
campaign in the breakaway region of Chechnya - Mr. 
Clinton said he and his former Russian counterpart 
were able to work together to advance their common 
interests.

The U-S President said U-S--Russian relations under 
Mr. Yeltsin's leadership produced progress for 
Americans and Russians - noting that thousands of 
long-range nuclear weapons were dismantled; that 
Russian troops have withdrawn from Baltic nations, and 
that Russian peacekeepers are now serving in the 
Balkans.

Earlier, Mr. Clinton telephoned Mr. Yeltsin - with 
whom he has enjoyed a close personal relationship over 
the years.  White House spokesman Joe Lockhart says 
Mr. Clinton pledged to work with Acting President 
Vladimir Putin as well as the winner of Russia's 
presidential election in March.

Mr. Yeltsin, in turn, vowed that Russia would remain 
committed to democracy, open markets, arms control and 
its constitution.

Spokesman Lockhart described the 20-minute 
conversation as "warm and personal."

Mr. Lockhart said the United States had no advance 
notice of Mr. Yeltsin's resignation.  He said the 
alert status of the U-S military had not changed and 
noted that Russia and U-S military officials were 
working together to monitor any potential computer 
problems related to the changeover to the year 2000.

The transfer of power in Russia is not expected to 
affect U-S--Russian relations.  U-S officials note 
that Mr. Putin has been handling the day-to-day 
affairs of the Kremlin for some time, and they have 
come to know him not only through his position as 
prime minister, but also as Mr. Yeltsin's national 
security advisor. (Signed)

NEB/DAT/JP




31-Dec-1999 12:57 PM EDT (31-Dec-1999 1757 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.