    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [March 27, 2000]
    [Page 539]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Election of Vladimir Putin
    as President of Russia
    March 27, 2000

        In a telephone conversation earlier today, I congratulated
    President-elect Vladimir Putin on his victory in the Russian
    Presidential elections.
        Sunday's vote was an important milestone in the development of a
    democratic Russia. The people of Russia demonstrated again their intense
    commitment to democracy. Roughly 70 percent of eligible Russians voted.
        In my conversation with President-elect Putin, I emphasized the
    importance to Russia and the world of strengthening the foundations of
    Russia's democracy and deepening its international integration.
    President-elect Putin has an opportunity to translate his electoral
    mandate into concrete steps to advance economic reform, to strengthen
    the rule of law, to intensify the fight against crime and corruption,
    and to join with us on a broad common agenda of international security,
    including arms control, nonproliferation, and regional peace and
    stability.
        Finally, I emphasized my concerns about the war in Chechnya. I
    stressed to President-elect Putin the importance of launching impartial
    and transparent investigations of reported human rights violations and
    providing prompt and full access for international organizations and the
    press.