Korzhakov: "Many people have written about Yeltsin, but they did not know him"

Yeltsin's Former Advisor "Spills the Beans"

But last year, Mr Korzhakov was abruptly fired by Mr Yeltsin in a scandal over election campaign funding. And now, Mr Korzhakov has shot back with a memoir entitled Boris Yeltsin: From Dawn till Dusk.

Proud author: Korzhakov at the launch

Launched in Moscow on Tuesday, the book claims to portray the true Yeltsin. "Many people have written about Yeltsin," Mr Korzhakov, who is now an MP, declared at the launch. "But they did not know him. What they could see was a mask. Only his family, my family and Yeltsin's personal friends knew him."

The book revives a number of controversial allegations against Mr Yeltsin. Mr Korzhakov says Mr Yeltsin has a drinking problem, that he's not fully in control of the Kremlin and that he's attempted suicide in the past. Mr Korzhakov also claims that big business enjoys disproportionate influence over the Russian government. And he accuses the President's daughter and advisor, Tatyana Dyachenko, of giving Mr Yeltsin an inflated view of his achievements and popularity.

Mr Korzhakov is adamant that he will defend his book in court if necessary. "I will bring there anything I want - tapes, computer disks, everything I have got left from my 'previous' life," he said. "This is a warning to all those who like court showcases."

Boris Yeltsin: From Dawn till Dusk

Mr Korzhakov's detractors argue that he exercised too much influence over Mr Yeltsin during the years he spent with the Russian President. The Kremlin has already dismissed the book as the bitter remarks of a former employee.

Asked whether he thought Mr Yeltsin would be given the book to read, Mr Korzhakov replied: "I am 100 per cent sure it won't happen."