RUSSIA: PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN ADDRESSES NATION

Описание: (4 Jul 1996) Russian/Nat

President Boris Yeltsin appeared briefly on Russian television Thursday to thank the nation for taking part in free presidential elections, saying they voted decisively for democratic reform.

Yeltsin swept to a stunning victory and a second term when Russians rejected his communist opponent's call to revive the Soviet Union and its rigid controls.

Yeltsin has more than a ten-point lead over communist candidate Gennady Zyuganov with 92 percent of the vote counted.

A smiling, relaxed Yeltsin appeared on national television to thank voters and appeal for an end to the political and social divisions so starkly delineated by the election campaign.

He said it was time to rebuild Russia as a great nation.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Dear Citizens of Russia. The official announcement of the results is still ahead. But the most important result is already known. The elections took place. The elections were free and honest. On July 3, we ourselves chose the future of our country. I am proud of Russia and I am proud of Russians. Yesterday, you exercised your right to vote. Now, nobody will take this away from you. That is your achievement. This is your victory. I thank all of those who came to the polls and exercised his civic duty. The election campaign was very tense. We argued a lot. Everybody was defending his own positions. You decided this conflict. I am sure there will be a place for everybody you trust in the new team. Let's not divide the country into winners and losers. Let's work. We have one Russia, a big, great country. One Russia, one destiny. And that means one future. On July 3, you proved once again yourselves and the whole world that Russia is a great country. That we are a great people. Together we'll revive Russia.
SUPER CAPTION: Boris Yeltsin, Russian President.

Yeltsin may have won another four-year term in the Kremlin but ongoing concerns over his health and who will succeed him is still a key issue.

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