the oligarchs of the yeltsin that he would let them keep their wealth. that is why putin was chosen. he was absolutely insignificant, he was colorless he had no political experience, there was an expression that he had the charisma of a lizard but yeltsin could rely on him. in the fall of 1999 yeltsin announced he is appointing putin as prime minister and he sees him as his potential successor as president. september yeltsin had a conversation with bill clinton and he told clinton vladimir putin is good to be the next president he's a good man and very solid you will have a good relationship and you will work with him. >> putin didn't believe that he could ever trust clinton or for that matter any american