But the irony of Russia's seemingly decisive election may turn out to be that it has settled things for no more than a few months. The vote marked not only independent Russia's first chance to pass judgment on a democratically elected leader in 1,000 years, but its third free nationwide election in the past six months. Yeltsin's mandate to continue democratic and free-market reforms seems clear even if many Russians voted for him not in euphoria but in fear of the alternative. It would be satisfying to declare the final defeat of Communism and the triumph of democracy and enlightened leadership. But Russia's reality does not justify euphoria today.
Wary optimism seems more appropriate. . . .
Yeltsin barely wheezed across the finish line this week. He appears exhausted, if not again seriously ill. . . . Strong, dynamic leadership will be required to keep reform on track. The country is also badly divided, with better than 35 percent of the electorate favoring a return to communist governance. . . . Russia's democracy is imperfect, but considering the tyranny that prevailed until five years ago, it stands as a remarkable achievement.