What a guy!

Putin reveals sentimental side

RFE/RL Newsline

MOSCOW - Acting President Vladimir Putin told Russian Public Television on January 4 that he "almost broke down" when former President Boris Yeltsin bid farewell to the Kremlin. Mr. Putin said the Russian president Yeltsin informed him about his intention to resign soon after the December 19, 1999, elections to the State Duma.

Mr. Putin said, "There was nothing extraordinary" about Mr. Yeltsin's words, but added that "they were said with some pathos while at the same time in a very kind and human way. He said the simple words: 'Take care of Russia.'"

The new acting president also divulged information about his personal life, saying he took his wife with him on his January 1 trip to Chechnya because they had always been together on that holiday.

Reuters reported that Mr. Putin's interview seemed "carefully rehearsed."

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 9, 2000, No. 2, Vol. LXVIII

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