#2
RIA Novosti
THE INTERVIEW GIVEN BY FIRST PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA BORIS
YELTSIN TO THE RTR PROGRAMME "NEWS OF THE WEEK" (SUMMARY)
June 12, 2002
Boris Yeltsin hopes that in the near future Russia Day will become a personal holiday for every citizen of Russia, for every family.
In the interview given to the RTR programme "News of the Week," the first President of Russia noted with regret that so far this day "has not yet become a holiday as the Day of the Paris Commune in France or the Independence Day in the United States, or the birthday of the British Queen." "This is the birthday of Russia. It is its name-day today. We should show it our warmth and respect, should be proud of Russia," Yeltsin believes. According to him, this day "should be a personal holiday for every citizen of Russia, for every family. Festivals, manifestations should be held; flags should be hoisted on every house, and the Russians themselves should do it." He underscored that Russia Day should in no way be made pompous. Its celebration should not be bureaucratic. But warmth should be present," said the first President of Russia.
Boris Yeltsin believes that the adoption of the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of Russia twelve years ago was a historic event which "turned Russia towards a democratic, market way of development." Answering the question of the programme's anchor Yevgeny Revenko, the first President of Russia said that if he could return into 1990 he would have done what he did then. "No corrections... On the contrary, as time passes by I become more and more convinced that it was the only possible step for Russia, the only chance for Russia to survive and become a really great state," said Boris Yeltsin.
Congratulating the Russian citizens on this holiday, the first President wished them "not to turn away from the path" which Russia is following. "Today we do not need zigzags, we do not need revolutions, we do not need sharp turns," underscored Boris Yeltsin.
Speaking about the inner political situation, the first President touched upon, in particular, the situation concerning the KPRF. "The Communist Party is being split ... and this split is good," he said. Boris Yeltsin also believes that at the future parliamentary elections the communists will not win a majority. In his opinion Zyuganov will "try to take part in the presidential elections." However, "if he (Zyuganov) lost the 1996 elections, nothing good is in store for him now," Boris Yeltsin is convinced.
The first President of Russia himself intends to vote for the Unity at the parliamentary elections in a year and a half. "I support this party which calls for reforms and leads Russia along this path - that is the main thing," stated Boris Yeltsin. He also added that he personally knows Sergei Shoigu. ""We have good relations. We meet with each other and even have joint family gatherings," said Boris Yeltsin.
Speaking about the foreign policy of Russia, the first President underscored that "Russia should not follow only one policy - pro-Western policy." "This is not for Russia. Russia is both in Europe and in Asia. We should follow a policy of developing cooperation with all the countries, so that no countries could be enemies for us or could regard us as enemies," believes Boris Yeltsin.
He called ridiculous the opinion of "quite many people in the West" that Russia pushes America to an arms race. "It's vice versa," Yeltsin stressed.
The first Russian President welcomed the signing of the Treaty on Strategic Arms Reductions of Russia and the US, but regretted that Americans refused to concede in some aspects, in particular, in the issue of warehousing warheads. Yeltsin noted that both sides should meet each other halfway.
The first President is glad that Vladimir Putin's international authority is increasing both in the West and the East.
Boris Yeltsin thinks Russia should not enter the EU or NATO, as it would "erode" these organizations.
At the same time, the first President thinks, Russia should cooperate, find mutual understanding, in particular, with the EU on the issue of the Kaliningrad region. "We can't lose the Kaliningrad region. We can't lose territories. It is the thing bequeathed by Peter the Great," Boris Yeltsin said.
Speaking about the present US President, Yeltsin said he liked Bush Sr. more. "First of all, we are one generation. Second, he seems to me more fundamental, wiser. Of course, Bush Jr. learnt something from his father and keeps learning, and that is good," thinks the first Russian President. In his opinion, Bush Jr. lacks what his father had - political wisdom. Boris Yeltsin wished George Bush Jr. success.
Answering a question by the anchorman, Yeltsin stressed that his main mottoes of a politician remain the same - control over officials, freedom of the individual, private property and freedom of speech. "Freedom of word, freedom of thinking, freedom of expression - this is the principal notion of freedom for man," he added.
The first President does not think that bright politicians are no more now. However, he noted that "time has come to work with personnel and personnel training more quietly and thoroughly." "Serious political figures in this country exist," said Yeltsin, noting that he meant first of all Vladimir Putin, "good chairman of the government" Mikhail Kasyanov, as well as a number of ministers, chairmen of State Duma committees and other leaders.
Boris Yeltsin noted that he recalls with warmth a lot of politicians he had had to work with. He said he meets with Yegor Gaidar and Viktor Chernomyrdin, as well as their families. "We are friends with them. And with many others." Speaking about his personal plans, Russia's first President reported that he is not going to continue working on his memoirs. "It is good to write without delay, when events are fresh and people are interested in them. Now that time has passed, it is already out of date." Boris Yeltsin reported that on June 21 he intends to head for Minsk, and on June 22 - the day of the war beginning - to lay a wreath in Brest. In July the first Russian President is going to Kyrgyzstan on Askar Akayev's invitation. "I want to travel, to make up for what I haven't seen in the world." Boris Yeltsin also reported that, at the age of 71, he decided to take up English to "occupy my brain that is not busy enough." "It is difficult, but I'm doing my best," he added.
He also resumed tennis and trains 2-3 times a week.
Yeltsin said he is a great fan of tennis, and of Safin, Kafelnikov, Dementyeva, Myshkina, Zvonaryova, Bovina, Kuznetsova. Yeltsin pointed to the good development of tennis in Russia. "This makes me happy and prompts me to go in for it myself." Beside political programs like "Vesti", "Vesti Nedeli", "Vremya", "Vremena", the first President watches sports programs - tennis, volleyball as well.
The first Russian President said he enthusiastically supports the Russian national team at the World Football Cup. Asked to give a forecast about the result the Russian footballers would bring, Yeltsin said: "Let's hope and believe!"
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