February 1 , Boris Yeltsin would have turned 85 years old .
What he left a trace in the history of Russia ?
The history of modern Russia began 25 years ago when in 1991
the Soviet Union began to break away from the Soviet republics . During 1991,
they held a referendum and announced their own independence . In December the
Council of Republic of the USSR Supreme Soviet adopted a declaration on the
dissolution of the USSR in connection with the formation of the CIS . What has
changed in the country during this time?
Nuclear Yugoslavia
In Russia, the historical truth is often fall under the
influence of politics. For years, I have had discussions with colleagues
(journalists and historians) about the first Russian President Boris Yeltsin
and his activities. Such strong personalities constantly provoke controversy.
I think Yeltsin's one of the most important heads of state
in the whole of Russian history since the XV century. When Mikhail Gorbachev
gave the people freedom, Boris Yeltsin to build democracy and formed a new
government institutions, despite the enormous difficulties that Russia was going
through in that decade.
Democracy is still the only civilized political system in
the developed world. It is imperfect, has many disadvantages and, as shown by
the Polish events of recent months, if people do not protect it, surprises.
What is more important - to add another square meters of
land possession is already the largest and most difficult to manage countries
or to create better living conditions for their citizens? Build another
powerful flare (and how many of them already in the arsenals? They do not have
enough?), Or equip kindergartens, schools, universities, advanced equipment? Or
just to feed hungry people, as happened in 1991?
For those who are sick in Russia "Belovezhskaya
syndrome", I want to say that on the night of 7 to 8 December, 1991, Boris
Yeltsin, not only chose between empire and democracy, but also a complex
between the past and the future of the rich. This landmark decision was made in
favor of Russia and its citizens. The most important thing is that all nuclear
weapons should be moved to a safe place. After the Bialowieza agreement West
began to perceive Russia as a partner and not as a threat.
When Moscow was invited to the "Big Eight", she
had what it takes to join the club? Hardly, but repeat the tragedy of the
Versailles of Germany no one wanted. And Boris Yeltsin became the guarantor of
peace and stability from Brest to Vladivostok.
Imagine what it would be tragic if, in October 1993, he
lost. Russia and the former republics inevitably would become a nuclear
Yugoslavia . Yeltsin's important contribution to humanity and not only to the
Fatherland .
Courage and perseverance
Boris Yeltsin made an incredible when in 1996 , in spite
of a heart attack , miraculously won the presidential election from his
hospital bed .
He had the courage to fight against the Communist system.
How many politicians have climbed on a tank during the coup of 1991, when there
could hide the snipers ?
His blamed for the economy of the Gaidar "shock
therapy" of the devaluation of the ruble in 1998. But keep in mind a
number of points. Firstly, he inherited a country lost the Cold War, was on the
brink of the abyss. There is the same situation when the doctor scolded, not
the patient, leading a bad life. As shown by the experience of Germany in
2002-2003, the reform should be carried out when there is money, not when
everything is sinking. After the oil crisis in 1973, Leonid Brezhnev, was to
modernize the country, and not to start a crazy arms race and to attack
Afghanistan in 1979.
Second, in the early 1990s, the world had no prior
experience of transforming a centralized economy into a market , capitalist .
We must answer one question : in post-Soviet Russia was possible to follow the
" Chinese way ", that is to carry out a slow and steady reform?
Definitely not. The Russians are not Chinese , they have a different mentality
, and the economic situation was different .
Thirdly , I do not know of any statesman who would declare
in advance that the next day will be a devaluation of the national currency .
This is an unpopular and necessary decision to the August 1998 Russia gave
strength to make it through petrodollars developed rapidly in the first decade
of the XXI century .
Patriots criticized Yeltsin. But with the limited
possibilities of the time he kept the power status of the country probably
already have to recognize regional. He built five strategic submarines to
maintain at least some balance with the United States, and implemented the
development of an intercontinental ballistic missile "Topol-M". You
think this is not enough for a hungry country?
In time gone
Of course, Boris Yeltsin, had flaws. He was not able to,
especially during his second term in office, to monitor the work of their
subordinates. And made a lot of mistakes, including the tragic war in Chechnya
at the end of 1994.
He was hated at home communists and nationalists abroad
(especially in Europe) - left-wing forces . He was called an alcoholic . His
only fault was that he defeated the dictatorship and finally secured freedom in
their country.
Sworn enemy of communism and nationalism , Yeltsin resigned
from political life when these threats are gone and bloody age of ideology is
over. "Take care of Russia " , - he said during a farewell .
And how many Russian or Soviet heads of state in the history
of left voluntarily ? He could easily organize a third term , the excuse that
first began when the Soviet Union still existed .
He did not. In December 1999, Boris Yeltsin, realized that
his mission was over. With it Russia back into the international community and
its citizens are no longer subjects of the empire .
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