A CLEARLY delighted President Clinton congratulated Mr Yeltsin on his re election as he began July 4th Independence Day celebrations by releasing a bald headed eagle from captivity.
As he carried out this symbolic gesture celebrating liberty, Mr Clinton said: "I want to congratulate the Russian people most of all on this milestone. They have been consistent in being good citizens in turning out in this election and in showing they are fully capable of exercising the powers of democracy."
But widespread relief among the US Administration at Mr Yeltsin's victory is mingled with continuing concern over his health. Officials say he appears to need a heart by pass operation.
The clear cut Yeltsin win has given a boost to Mr Clinton's foreign policy, which had suffered a setback with the defeat of the Administration's favoured candidate, Mr Shimon Peres, in the recent Israeli elections.
Foreign policy is now less likely to figure in the election campaign, although the Republican candidate, Mr Bob Dole, recently criticised the President for having a "romantic" view of foreign affairs and urged a speedy expansion of Nato. Mr Dole cautioned that "democracy is not built on any one individual or even any one election".
The House Speaker, Mr Newt Gingrich, said the US should recognise that "while Yeltsin is in some ways helpful to us, in other ways he's not." Russia is "going to have interests that aren't the same as ours.
Vice President Al Gore will travel to Moscow on July 12th, ostensibly to meet the Prime Minister, Mr Yiktor Chernomyrdin, but will probably meet Mr Yeltsin almost immediately.
Mr Gore is expected to urge Mr Yeltsin to make the kind of appointments to key economic posts which will reassure the world financial markets and the International Monetary Fund. On security issues, the US will want to see progress on Nato expansion to include eastern European countries and ratification of the second strategic arms reduction treaty, Start-2.
Reuter reports:
The German Chancellor Dr Helmut Kohl, telephoned Mr Yeltsin to congratulate him on his re election and said he had no doubt Mr Yeltsin would keep steering Russia down the path of reform. Germany is easily the biggest provider of financial aid to Russia.
The German Foreign Minister, Mr Klaus Kinkel, said the fact that the election had taken place as planned and in a fair manner was "a victory for democracy" and justified the West's patience with the Russian reform process.
President Chirac of France said Mr Yeltsin's re election was a guarantee of peace and security in Europe.
The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, has sent a message to Mr Yeltsin on his re election. Wishing him and his administration "every success in the years ahead", Mr Bruton said that during Ireland's presidency of the EU, he looked forward to working with President Yeltsin on EU/Russian issues.
Italy welcomed the result, saying it would bring stability and continuity to Russia's process of democratisation. The Prime Minister, Mr Romano Prodi, said the results "inspire increased confidence in that great country."
The UN Secretary General, Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali, said Mr Yeltsin's victory ensured continued stability in Russia.