Step down, Gorbachev says

 MOSCOW – Mikhail Gorbachev, who resigned as Soviet president 20 years ago today, has urged Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to follow his example and step down.

 Gorbachev said if Putin stepped down now he would be remembered for the positive things he did during his 12 years in power.

 The former Soviet leader spoke on Ekho Moskvy radio Saturday after a demonstration against Putin drew tens of thousands in Moscow. But Gorbachev, 80, carries little weight in Russia today.

Associated Press