Drunk Boris Yeltsin was found outside White House in underpants trying to hail cab 'because he wanted some pizza'



Former Russian president Boris Yeltsin got so drunk during a visit to Washington that he was found standing outside the White House in his underpants trying to hail a cab to go and buy a pizza.

The following night he was mistaken for a drunken intruder when he was discovered stumbling around the basement of his guest house by secret service agents.

The drunken behaviour of Yeltsin, who was known for his fondness for vodka and died two years ago aged 76, were revealed by former US president Bill Clinton.

Russian President Boris Yeltsin taps his watch to end a White House press conference as US President Bill Clinton looks on in 1994

Clinton, who is no stranger to indiscretions of his own, sat down with historian Taylor Branch to give an "oral history" of his presidency.

The results of 70 taped interviews between Clinton and Branch, who were former flatmates from the 1970s, is a new book "The Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President."

Branch, a Pulitzer prize winning writer, was chosen by Clinton to be the unofficial historian of his eight years in power.

Just like this: The late Boris Yeltsin enjoys a day at the beach in 1997

He taped all the interviews with Clinton who in 1998 survived a call for impeachment over his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

His relationship with Lewinsky is the one area that Clinton does not expand on during his taped conversations with 62 year old Branch.

Branch said Clinton told him he "just cracked" under political and personal pressure.

The book also details an "explosive" row between Clinton and Al Gore after the vice president lost the 2000 election campaign to George W Bush.

According to excerpts of the book published in USA Today newspaper, Clinton told Branch they had a heated two hour discussion in which Gore said the president's scandalous behaviour had cost him the election.

The book reveals that Yeltsin's drinking binge while staying at Blair House, the guest accommodation used by visiting dignitaries in 1995, almost ended in an international incident.

Mr Clinton told how he was briefed by secret service after they found Yeltsin standing outside the building dressed in his underwear trying to hail a taxi.

In a slurred speech he told the agents he wanted a pizza.

The following night he eluded his Russian bodyguards to climb out of Blair House into the basement where he was initially mistaken for an intruder.

Larger than life: Yeltsin dances at a rock concert in 1996

The 707 page book, which is published next week,was sent to Clinton to proof read.

Branch said he did not ask for any alterations.

Other subjects covered included Clinton's view of George Bush, describing him as "unqualified" to be president.