This example showed me that the ability to step back is also among the political tasks of a president, |
to show common sense and restraint and not to allow further escalation of the conflict. |
Today I am addressing you for the last time as Russian president. I have made a decision. I have contemplated this long and hard. Today, on the last day of the outgoing century, I am retiring. |
Today is a very responsible moment, since we have been left without a government for two weeks. That means lost money and lost opportunities, |
Today is the last day of an era past. |
Today, a day of mourning, a new disaster hit us, ... Terrorism has declared war on us ... Terrorists are trying to scare the Russian people. They are trying to demoralize the state. |
Today, on the last day of the outgoing century, I resign, |
Various rumors have been in circulation in the mass media concerning my trip to Switzerland at a time when we have problems here in Russia which need to be solved. Even if I go on holiday, to have some rest, I will stay on Russian territory. |
Viktor (Chernomyrdin's) main advantages are decency, honesty, and thoroughness. I think these qualities will be the decisive argument in the presidential election, |
We are not taking part in this war, we didn't start this war, |
We are obliged to put an end to the spread of the cancer of terrorism, |
We believe that gradually, as we have planned, without hurry, this problem can be overcome, |
We can be proud that this is being done peacefully, without revolutions and coups. |
We don't have Western priorities. We are equally oriented to the west, the east, the north and the south. We want friendship with all. |
We have a normal, calm situation, |