Gorbachev Urges Yeltsin To Step Down

Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev insisted Thursday that he is ready for a political role in the post-Cold War world he helped shape.

“Don’t send me into the archives of history. I still want to work,” he told a gathering of academics, writers and politicians at a conference to mark the 10th anniversary of “perestroika,” his landmark restructuring program.

He also called on Russian President Boris Yeltsin to step down.

“I cannot support Yeltsin or speak positively about the present regime. Yeltsin should go,” said Gorbachev, a frequent Yeltsin critic.

Gorbachev was elected Soviet Communist Party chief 10 years ago Saturday.

While in Genoa, Gorbachev plans meetings with Italian businessman, politicians and cultural figures.