Amid all the thunderous booms and bangs on New Year's Eve, one explosion was very different from the rest. It rang out at noon, not midnight, and not in the sky, but on television. In Russia, President Boris Yeltsin appeared on TV and delivered a shocking message: "I am addressing you for the last time as Russian President. On the last day of the outgoing century, I am retiring."
Yeltsin's surprise announcement rocked not just Russia but also the world. It was Yeltsin who became Russia's first freely elected President in 1991, when Russia was still part of the Soviet Union. Two months later, it was he who bravely stood atop a tank to face down communist leaders threatening to destroy Russia's shaky democracy. The news of Yeltsin's retirement set off questions about what will become of that democracy.
The man who may have the answers is Vladimir Putin. He will be Russia's acting President until an election on March 26, which he is expected to win. As President Clinton wrote in Time magazine, "Now Vladimir Putin must be the custodian of Russia's democracy."
Communism's Collapse
In December 1991, half a year after Yeltsin became Russia's President, the Soviet Union broke apart into 15 independent countries. That ended 74 years of communist rule, in which the government controlled most aspects of life for the Soviet people--jobs, food, housing, banks, nearly everything.
Yeltsin's election to the presidency of Russia, the most powerful state in the former Soviet Union, came at a time of great hope. After years of smaller reforms by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in the 1980s, Yeltsin had the power to make big changes. He quickly began freeing the economy from total governmental control. A new constitution guaranteed citizens' rights, including freedom of religion and the right to own property and businesses.
A Grim Goodbye
But the changes Yeltsin brought were not always effective, nor did they come without a price. Russia's economy crumbled, keeping many people in poverty. Crime and corruption damaged Russia's reputation, and an ugly war took thousands of lives as the republic of Chechnya fought to break its ties with Russia.
During his time in office, Yeltsin was plagued with health problems and often appeared to be an unstable leader. In announcing his resignation, he apologized to the Russian people for disappointing them. "I want to ask your forgiveness," he said sadly, "because many of our hopes have not come true, because what we thought would be easy turned out to be painfully difficult. I ask you to forgive me."
One of Putin's first presidential acts was to make sure that Yeltsin can never be prosecuted for any wrongdoing committed while in office. The agreement made experts on Russia wonder: Had Yeltsin done something wrong? Had he cut a deal to let Putin run the country in order to escape punishment?
Uncertain Change
Russia and the world are waiting to see just what kind of President Putin will turn out to be. So far the mysterious ex-spy is best known for managing Russia's war with Chechnya. The war has made Putin popular with Russians. But he has been criticized by the U.S. and other nations for his treatment of Chechen refugees and the large number of civilian deaths.
In his New Year's address, Putin affirmed his commitment to democracy. In a recent article, he said the Russian people expect a powerful government. Russians "see (the government) as a source of order ... and (the) main driving force of any change," he wrote.
No one disputes that change is needed. For now, the world is cautiously hoping for the kind of change that will lead to a freer, more peaceful and more prosperous Russia.