"Your commanders have ordered you to storm the White House and to arrest me. But I as the elected President of Russia give you the order to turn your tanks and not to fight against your own people"
- Boris Yeltsin
About this Quote
This quote by Boris Yeltsin is an effective declaration of his authority as the elected President of Russia. He is informing his commanders that they have actually been bought to storm the White House and jail him, but he is overriding that order and giving them a new one. He is informing them to turn their tanks and not to eliminate against their own people. This is a strong message of unity and uniformity, and a tip that individuals of Russia are the ones in charge. Yeltsin is asserting his authority as the leader of the nation and advising his commanders that they must obey his orders. He is also stressing the importance of protecting individuals of Russia and not participating in violence against them. This quote is a powerful tip of the significance of democracy and the power of the people.