    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [December 31, 1999]
    [Pages 2352-2353]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Resignation of President Boris Yeltsin of Russia
    December 31, 1999

        Today President Yeltsin ends his historic tenure as Russia's first
    democratically elected President.
        Under his leadership, since 1991, the Russian people have faced the
    unprecedented challenge of creating new institutions and building a new
    life after decades of corrosive Communist rule. His lasting achievement
    has been dismantling that Communist system and building new political
    institutions under democratically elected leaders within a
    constitutional framework. The fact that Prime Minister Putin assumes responsibility today as Acting President in
    accordance with the constitution is but the latest example of this
    achievement.

    [[Page 2353]]

        The relationship between the United States and Russia under
    President Yeltsin has produced genuine progress for both our people.
    Five thousand strategic nuclear weapons have been dismantled, and our
    nuclear weapons no longer are targeted at each other. We have worked
    together to eliminate nuclear weapons from the other states of the
    former Soviet Union. Russia has withdrawn its troops from the Baltic
    nations. Now its troops are serving alongside Americans to maintain the
    peace in the Balkans, and Russia was instrumental in achieving peace in
    Kosovo. We have also had our differences, such as on Chechnya. But
    President Yeltsin and my starting point has always been how Russia and
    America can work together to advance our common interests. In this
    spirit, I look forward to working with Acting President Putin as the Russian people begin the process of making
    the transition from one democratically elected President to another.
        To President Yeltsin, let me convey my appreciation for the work we
    have done together. Hillary and I extend our warmest wishes to you and
    your family.

    Note: The statement referred to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin who became
    Acting President on President Yeltsin's resignation.