Boris Yeltsin, the first Russian President, would have turned 85 today
01.02.2016
Grigory Yavlinsky:
“Boris Yeltsin belongs to such historical figures whose assessment by people changes over time, because all further developments bring new meanings to their deeds and highlight the consequences that were not obvious during their lives.
At present we can speak about at least two components of the historical portrait of this remarkable man. The first belongs to our contemporary, with whom I disagreed in many aspects and openly opposed his policies being well aware of the consequences, and their fatal inevitability is becoming increasingly clear today. Another is the brightest person capable of strong, non-trivial things, with inner strength that he himself was often difficult to handle. Boris Yeltsin was fitting his time and became its manifestation.
Boris Yeltsin implemented his duty as he understood it. Resigning from the post of President of Russia, he found the strength to apologize to the citizens – this is, as far as I know, was the only case in our history. This action shows a lot in the character of Boris Yeltsin.
Boris Yeltsin is no longer with us, but his dialogue with Russia is not finished. “
Posted: February 2nd, 2016 under Human Rights.