MOSCOW -- Boris Yeltsin - Russia's first popularly elected president - declared Monday that he will step aside when his term expires in 2000, clearing the way for a pack of candidates already jockeying to succeed him.
Yeltsin's recent health problems and a two-term limit in the constitution already had appeared to rule out a third term for the Russian leader. But his sudden announcement at a Moscow school still caught many by surprise.
'My term ends in 2000. I will not run anymore,' Yeltsin told children and teachers on the first day of classes at School No. 1253.
Looking upbeat and smiling, the 66-year-old Yeltsin said younger, more energetic people would be needed to run the country in the future.
'We have a very good team - a good, friendly and intelligent team,' he said, suggesting that his preferred successor would come from within his own administration.