The Secretary-General was saddened to learn today of the death of Boris Yeltsin, the first democratically elected President of the Russian Federation. President Yeltsin will be remembered for the critical role he played in advancing political and economic reforms in Russia, as well as in fostering rapprochement between East and West.

The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to Mr. Yeltsin's family and to the people and government of the Russian Federation.