Wwii Vets Tell Yeltsin To Retire

Telling the president he should retire, angry World War II veterans gave Boris Yeltsin a chilly reception Tuesday on a re-election campaign trip to southern Russia.

“We wish you good health - and we want you not to seek the presidency,” said one of dozens of veterans who spoke with Yeltsin as he placed a wreath at a memorial to heroes of Russia’s revolution and wars.

“I cannot do that,” the president said sternly. “Whom do you suggest?”

“Somebody younger,” the veteran said.

“Well, you also need experience,” countered the 65-year-old Yeltsin.

Yeltsin is running an uphill race against the resurgent Communists in his bid for a second term, although polls show he is gaining on the front-runner - 51-year-old Communist candidate Gennady Zyuganov - and analysts say their chances in the June 16 election are now about equal.