Western leaders, and indeed, the world in general might be relieved if Russian President Boris Yeltsin finds that his health does not permit him to return to office and that instead he retires to a long and pleasant retirement on the Black Sea.
Though the world is rightly grateful for Mr Yeltsin’s role in the overthrow of the communist regime; and the stubborn but effective resistance tot he 1991 communist coup attempt; and the installation of at least some rudimentary elements of democracy in Russia, he has passed his used-by date. On many occasions he has proved erratic and mendacious. Even with respect to his health he has attempted to give the Russian people a misleading picture, playing down the seriousness of his condition. At first he said it was a blood-supply problem, on later acknowledging it was a heart attack. Last week, the Kremlin issued a photograph purporting to be taken at the hospital but apparently taken three months ago while he was on holiday. The 64-year-old president now says he will be in hospital some time.
In October 1993, he proved risky and violent in battering his opponents into submissions by shelling the parliament building in Moscow.
These aside, the more important issue is Yeltsin’s handling of Chechnya. His decision to invade _ on New Year’s Eve last year _ resulted in appalling bloodshed on both sides and economic ruin in Chechnya. It was inexcusable. The revenge hostage-taking by Chechen fighters in June was understandable.
Mercifully, Mr Yeltsin was abroad as a G7 observer at the time. Otherwise, his erratic approach would have resulted in more bloodshed than necessary. As it was his Prime Minister, Viktor Chernomyrdin, was free to negotiate, which he did reasonably successfully. As Mr Chernomyrdin was attempting to negotiate with calm and reason, Mr Yeltsin engaged in blood-thirsty ranting on the other side of the world.
With Yeltsin safely in bed, Mr Chernomyrdin appears once again to be dealing with the Chechen crisis with greater reason and conciliation. Mr Yeltsin, probably in name only, Mr Chernomyrdin and Nationalities Minister Vyacheslav Mikhailov announced they had found a solution to the crisis, but did not give details. Negotiations are to resume later this week.
The world can only hope that Mr Yeltsin stays in bed during the talks and shortly afterwards retires _ presumably allowing Mr Chernomyrdin to succeed. Russian democracy, though fragile, could withstand the change and most likely benefit from it.