CRISIS IN THE KREMLIN : In Moscow, Voices of Relief, Reflection and Apprehension

Assessing the coup: Muscovites comment on a crisis resolved .

“I’m feeling enormous joy--like none I’ve ever felt before. Yes, I think the coup is all over. I have strong hope that we will finally begin living in a normal, free country. This victory of (Russian Federation President Boris N.) Yeltsin’s will, hopefully, mark the end of socialism as a system of oppression.”

--Mikhail A. Boldyrev, 50, researcher.

‘Days Were Numbered’

“All this looked like a political farce to me. They (the coup leaders) understood their days were numbered and undertook their--I hope--last attempt to remain in power. (But) this attempt . . . was inevitable. . . . (Soviet President Mikhail S.) Gorbachev discredited himself as a political leader. He had to feel the atmosphere getting hotter around him and in the country.”

--Constantine Valuisky, 24, student at Moscow Oil and Gas Academy.

‘We Are Not That Bad’

“Yeltsin is the only leader of Russia and its people. It was clear from the beginning that three-quarters of the Moscow police were on Yeltsin’s side. Yeltsin must undertake immediate reforms. First he has to deal with the army generals, then with the KGB and only then with the police. We are not that bad.”

--Anatoly V. Zaretsky, 50, police major.

‘I Am So Scared’

“I want to get out of here for home. I have been here only for two days but that was enough. I don’t know when I’ll come to Moscow again after what I’ve seen. I am so scared.”

--Lidia B. Petrunova, tailor, visiting from Barnaul in Siberia.

‘I’m Ambivalent’

“I’m ambivalent: I feel joy because we won, and concern because something still can happen. It is not the time to have fun and relax. I voted for Yeltsin, and he has proven to be the president we Russians want to have. The only thing I wish for him is to keep cool and centrist. If he becomes an extremist, that would be the worst.”

--Sergei Petrov, 32, teacher.

‘People’s President’

“I am happy that this is all over. Yeltsin is a man not only of words but of actions. He is the real people’s president. Gorbachev’s role is unclear. Why did all the coup leaders run to the Crimea? Do they have something in common (with Gorbachev)? Instead, according to normal logic, they should have flown to Iraq, North Korea or China.”

--Stanislav M. Osipov, 52, engineer.

‘Yeltsin Is the Leader’

“I welcome changes in the structure of our system. I never liked Gorbachev and I would not like him to return to his post. Yeltsin is the leader for the short term.”

--Gennady, 18, student.

‘Messy’

“Everything is so messy. After all that has happened, I don’t know what to expect. I can only pray for the best. Yeltsin proved himself to be a real man of the people.”

--Tamara P. Ivanova, pensioner.

‘We Will Go’

“Soviet Zionists support Russians and Yeltsin in their struggle. While we are still here, in this country, we cannot stay on the sidelines. I cannot be indifferent to what is happening. We will help Russians and then we will go (to Israel).”

--Boris Levin, 20, student and member of Beitar, a Zionist youth organization.