From csd.cri.dk!ns Wed Aug 21 00:53:32 1991 remote from ddc Received: by sandes.cri.dk; Wed, 21 Aug 91 00:53:18 +0200 Received: from csd.cri.dk (danbo) by cri.dk; Tue, 20 Aug 91 22:11:19 +0200 Received: from stilton.cri.dk by csd.cri.dk; Tue, 20 Aug 91 22:09:21 +0200 Date: Tue, 20 Aug 91 22:09:21 +0200 From: ns@csd.cri.dk (Nick Sandru) Organization: CRI A/S, Case Systems Division Message-Id: <9108202009.AA13803@csd.cri.dk> Received: by stilton.cri.dk (4.1/SMI-4.1) id AA04897; Tue, 20 Aug 91 22:09:23 +0200 To: ns@sandes.cri.dk Subject: Forwarded "as is" from USSR Status: RO >Path: cri.dk!dkuug!sunic!mcsun!piet >From: piet@NIC.EU.net (Piet Beertema) >Newsgroups: misc.headlines,talk.politics.soviet >Subject: Forwarded "as is" from USSR >Message-ID: <3590@mcsun.eu.net> >Date: 19 Aug 91 20:15:48 GMT >Followup-To: talk.politics.soviet >Organization: EurOpen >Lines: 321 Message-Id: Organization: INTERFAX From: leo@interfax.msk.su (Leonid Belopilsky) Date: Mon, 19 Aug 91 13:16:37 +0200 (MSD) INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY EXPRESS AUGUST l9, l99l 12:30 LEADERSHIP OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION APPEALS TO CITIZENS USSR INTERIOR MINISTRY RESTORES VERTICAL LAW-ENFORCEMENT STRUCTURES YELTSYN FAILED TO CONTACT GORBACHEV AT THE OFFICE OF THE MOSCOW MILITARY COMMANDANT COMMANDER OF LENINGRAD MILITARY DISTRICT APPEARS ON TV * * * LEADERSHIP OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION APPEALS TO CITIZENS The President of Russia Boris Yeltsyn, the acting chairman of the Russian Supreme Soviet Ruslan Khasbulatov and Prime-Minister Ivan Silayev have declared that the legitimate President of the USSR was dismissed on the night of August l8, l990. In an appeal to the citizens of Russia this is described as "a right-wing, reactionary, anti-constitutional coup". They note that there were attempts of an overthrow before. Yeltsyn, Silayev and Khasbulatov said that the use of force in governing the country is unacceptable. "This discredits the USSR in the face of the whole world, undermines our prestige in the international community and returns us to the cold war epoch and the isolation of the Soviet Union from the world community," the appeal says. The three leaders declared "the so-called committee that came to power" as well as all its decisions illegal. They expressed assurance that local government bodies will strictly observe the constitutional laws and decrees of the president of the Russian Federation. They called for giving President Gorbachev a chance to address the nation as well as immediately convening an extraordinary Congress of USSR People's Deputies. "We call for a general strike without a time limit till these demands are fulfilled", the document says. USSR INTERIOR MINISTRY RESTORES VERTICAL LAW-ENFORCEMENT STRUCTURES In reply to a question from IF's reporter about steps taken by the USSR Interior Ministry following the decisions of the political leadership of the country on the introduction of a state of emergency in a number of regions, the head of the ministry's public relations center Andrei Chernenko said that at the moment the ministry is concentrating its attention on the state of public order. At a working conference Interior Minister Pugo emphasised the necessity of strengthening the defence of the civic interests of the population irrespective of the place of their residence, nationality and social standing. The restoration of the vertical structure of law- enforcement bodies was described as the necessary measure for the implementation of this program. Appropriate information is submitted to the regional Interior Ministries. NOTE On August l9 IF will be issuing urgent newsletters instead of regular bulletins. YELTSYN FAILED TO CONTACT GORBACHEV Speaking at a Moscow news conference on Monday the Russian President Boris Yeltsyn declared that the Ukraine and some other republics which he managed to contact share the opinion of the Russian leadership about the developments in the country. According to Yeltsyn, he failed to contact Gorbachev. All means of communication, the Russian President declared, are controlled by "the putschists". He also said that in response to Order Number One announced on radio today the Russian President is going to issue a decree on disobedience to the order. The Russian government, Yeltsyn said, will continue its work. The news conference was also attended by Prime-Minister Ivan Silayev and Vice-President Alexander Rutskoi. AT THE OFFICE OF THE MOSCOW MILITARY COMMANDANT IF's reporter was informed by the office of the Moscow military commandant that no orders have been received on changing its functioning order. It was also said that today such an order is not expected. COMMANDER OF LENINGRAD MILITARY DISTRICT APPEARS ON TV At l0:00 a.m. the commander of the Leningrad military district Colonel-General Victor Samsonov appeared on local radio and television. He said that the he has been appointed the commandant of Leningrad and the surrounding area by the State committee for the state of emergency. He announced that since 4 a.m. on August l9 a state of energency and curfew were introduced in the region. Strikes, rallies, demonstrations and processions are banned. The activities of political parties hindering the normalization of the situation and sabotaging the decisions of the committee will be banned. Samsonov said that strict control over the media is introduced, some of them might even be closed. Besides, no one will not be allowed to quit jobs of one's own free will. He also said that the staffs of the organizations that will be closed under orders from the commandant will be forcefully employed "at factories, plants and farms". According to Samsonov, the committee for the state of emergency for the Leningrad region will include the leader of the regional committee of the CPSU Boris Gidaspov, the vice- mayor of Leningrad Vyacheslav Shcherbakov, the chairman of the Leningrad regional council Yuri Yarov and be presided by Samsonov himself. The Mayor of Leningrad Anatoli Sobchak is absent from the city. According to unconfirmed reports, a full-scale meeting of the Central Committee of the CPSU is due today on August l9. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BALTFAX August 19, 1991, 12:50 FOR SUBSCRIBERS' ATTENTION: Today IF will release express news only. IN TALLINN THE SPECIAL DEFENCE COUNCIL HELD A SESSION. ESTONIAN AUTHORITIES REAFFIRM THEIR POLICY OF RESTORING INDEPENDENCE BY PEACEFUL MEANS Estonia's interim defence council held a session in Tallinn on Monday. The session was chaired by the head of Estonia's parliament Arnold Ruutel. The council urged the population, local government bodies as well as state and public structures to display calm and fortitude. It adopted a statement, pointing out that Estonia's democratically elected government and state structures reaffirm their policy of restoring Estonia's independence by peaceful means. There are reports that Estonia's prime minister Edgar Savisaar who is on a visit in Sweden is returning to Estonia. Estonia's foreign minister Lennart Meri is on a visit in Finland. So far he has no intention of returning home. According to BF's correspondent, last January Meri received special instructions to form a government in exile. Vladimir Vinogradov, secretary of the coordinating council of the Estonian intermovement told BF that his movement supports the USSR leaders' appeal to the Soviet people. "All this is happening in the interests of the working people", V.Vinogradov stressed. VYTAUTAS LANDSBERGIS ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE USSR Speaking on local radio Monday morning, the head of Lithuania's parliament Vytautas Landsbergis declared that the people of Lithuania "will not collaborate with the puppet authorities should such be installed in their republic". "Martial law might be imposed in Lithuania on Monday", he said. "If military commandants impose their power, try to avoid casualties", V.Landsbergis pointed out. Lithuania's President Vytautas Landsbergis urged the people to gather in front of the parliament building. The presidium of Lithuania's parliament is convening for an urgent session. MPs are recalled from their vacations. BF's correspondent reports from Vilnius that independent Lithuanian TV which made its telecasts from Kaunas following the invasion of the TV center in Vilnius by the military on January 13 this year has stopped functioning. According to BF's correspondent, the relay station in Fitkunauc has been seized. A small private radio station continues its broadcasts. -- Message-Id: Organization: INTERFAX From: leo@interfax.msk.su (Leonid Belopilsky) Date: Mon, 19 Aug 91 13:42:46 +0200 (MSD) INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY EXSPRESS AUGUST l9, l99l 13:30 - JOINT STATEMENT OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT AND CABINET PRESIDIUMS - GROUP FOR STATE OF EMERGENCY SET UP IN KAMCHATKA * * * JOINT STATEMENT OF ARMENIAN PARLIAMENT AND CABINET PRESIDIUMS The Presidiums of the parliament and government of Armenia have issued a joint statement saying that "at this tense and critical hour for the whole country Armenians should demonstrate the staunchness and restraint inherent in them, manifest labor discipline and not give in to provocations". The statement stresses that the presidiums are constantly following the developments in the country's leadership and will react accordingly. GROUP FOR STATE OF EMERGENCY SET UP IN KAMCHATKA On August l9 a session of the Kamchatka regional executive committee attended by the heads of its key departments, members of the presidium of the regional council, and media representatives formed a group for the state of emergency. The aim of the group will be to respond to the developments in the region, work out and approve possible decisions. The group is led by the vice-chairman of the regional council Albert Usov. -- Message-Id: Organization: INTERFAX From: leo@interfax.msk.su (Leonid Belopilsky) Date: Mon, 19 Aug 91 15:02:50 +0200 (MSD) INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY INTERFAX NEWS August 19, 1991, 14:50 THE UKRAINE TOOK A STAND SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE RUSSIAN LEADERSHIP, SAID BORIS YELTSIN Russia's President Boris Yeltsin has told newsmen that the Russian leadership succeeded neither in broadcasting nor in telecasting its appeal. Areas in Russia are receiving the appeal over telephone. Yeltsin called upon the leaders of all countries to condemn the coup. According to Russia's President, the chairman of the Ukrainian parliament Leonid Kravchuk told him that the presidium of the Ukrainian parliament took a stand similar to that of the Russian leadership. It decided not to submit to the orders issued by the State-of-Emergency Committee (SEC). The acting chairman of Russia's parliament Ruslan Khasbulatov told newsmen that the presidium of Russia's parliament held an urgent conference and decided to convene the parliament for an emergency session on Wednesday to discuss the political situation in the Russian Federation. The representatives of constituent republics and autonomous regions authorized to sign union treaty are now in Moscow, said R.Khasbulatov. The building of Russia's parliament has been surrounded by tanks, said Russia's prime minister Ivan Silayev. Answering newsmen's questions Boris Yeltsin said that today he was prevented from entering the Kremlin where he was going to meet with G.Yanayev. Later Yeltsin managed to get in touch with Yanayev who told him that Gorbachev could no longer perform the functions of president. His attempts to get in touch with Gorbachev ended in failure, said B.Yeltsin. "If Gorbachev is alive and still there (at the presidential villa in the Crimea), he is blocked", said Russia's President. He spoke with Gorbachev for the last time last Friday, said Yeltsin. According to him, "on Friday Gorbachev was safe and sound", and intended to hold an important conference on August 21. YELTSIN ISSUED A DECREE DENYING RECOGNITION TO THE STATE-OF- EMERGENCY COMMITTEE Russia's President Boris Yeltsin signed a decree which proclaims the State-of-Emergency Committee as unconstitutional and qualifies its actions as treason. The decree proclaims all orders issued by the SEC as illegal and null and void in the territory of Russia. The lawful authorities in the territory of Russia continue to function, said Yeltsin. "The activity of persons who comply with the orders of the SEC will be qualified in accordance with the criminal code of the Russian Federation and subjected to legal proceedings", the decree says. The decree came into force as soon as it was signed. THE LEADERS OF THE STATE-OF-EMERGENCY COMMITTEE WILL GIVE A NEWS CONFERENCE Members of the State-of-Emergency Committee G.Yanayev, V.Pavlov and O.Baklanov will give a news conference at the press center of the USSR foreign ministry at 17:00 today. MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORMS GIVES A PRESS CONFERENCE The Movement for Democratic Reforms gives a press conference at 15:00 today at the building of the Soviet Foreign Policy Association, 10, Elizarova St. It will release a statement. Telephone numbers for contacts: 975-21-67, 297-78-35, 299-15-12. -- INTERFAX 250-92-55, 250-92-57 LEONID BELOPILSKY leo@interfax.msk.su -- Nick Sandru - System administrator | e-mail: ns@csd.cri.dk (office) Columbus Space Station SDE Project | ns@sandes.cri.dk (home) Computer Resources International A/S | phone: +45 45 82 21 00 x2036 (office) Bregnerodvej 144 | +45 47 98 06 27 (home) DK-3460 Birkerod, Denmark | fax: +45 45 82 17 11 From csd.cri.dk!ns Wed Aug 21 00:54:11 1991 remote from ddc Received: by sandes.cri.dk; Wed, 21 Aug 91 00:53:54 +0200 Received: from csd.cri.dk (danbo) by cri.dk; Tue, 20 Aug 91 22:14:53 +0200 Received: from stilton.cri.dk by csd.cri.dk; Tue, 20 Aug 91 22:12:58 +0200 Date: Tue, 20 Aug 91 22:12:58 +0200 From: ns@csd.cri.dk (Nick Sandru) Organization: CRI A/S, Case Systems Division Message-Id: <9108202012.AA13806@csd.cri.dk> Received: by stilton.cri.dk (4.1/SMI-4.1) id AA04933; Tue, 20 Aug 91 22:12:59 +0200 To: ns@sandes.cri.dk Subject: Forwarded "as is" from USSR Status: RO >Path: cri.dk!dkuug!sunic!mcsun!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!apple!ig!oberlin.bitnet!SKS2454 >From: SKS2454@oberlin.bitnet ("Acme Industrial Heavy Objects, Inc.") >Newsgroups: talk.politics.soviet >Subject: Re: Forwarded "as is" from USSR >Message-ID: <2A2D6D15001F00023C@OBERLIN.BITNET> >Date: 19 Aug 91 22:28:00 GMT >Sender: daemon@presto.ig.com >Reply-To: "talk.politics.soviet via ListServ" >Lines: 41 > INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY > INTERFAX NEWS > August 19, 1991, 14:50 > THE UKRAINE TOOK A STAND SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE RUSSIAN > LEADERSHIP, SAID BORIS YELTSIN > According to Russia's President, the chairman of the > Ukrainian parliament Leonid Kravchuk told him that the > presidium of the Ukrainian parliament took a stand similar to > that of the Russian leadership. It decided not to submit to > the orders issued by the State-of-Emergency Committee (SEC). I hate to rain on Yeltsin's parade, but the interview with Kravchuk broadcast on Vremya said nothing of the sort. Kravchuk said that while he might not support all of the methods of the State-of-Emergency Committee, somebody should have done something similar sooner. > THE LEADERS OF THE STATE-OF-EMERGENCY COMMITTEE WILL GIVE A > NEWS CONFERENCE > Members of the State-of-Emergency Committee G.Yanayev, > V.Pavlov and O.Baklanov will give a news conference at the > press center of the USSR foreign ministry at 17:00 today. Prime Minister Pavlov did not attend the press conference. >INTERFAX 250-92-55, 250-92-57 >LEONID BELOPILSKY leo@interfax.msk.su Karen Segar sks2454@oberlin sks2454@ocvaxa.cs.oberlin.edu P.S. Yeltsin called an emergency session of the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR for August 21 and the Supreme Soviet will hold an emergency session on August 26. From csd.cri.dk!ns Wed Aug 21 00:54:39 1991 remote from ddc Received: by sandes.cri.dk; Wed, 21 Aug 91 00:54:25 +0200 Received: from csd.cri.dk (danbo) by cri.dk; Tue, 20 Aug 91 22:15:56 +0200 Received: from stilton.cri.dk by csd.cri.dk; Tue, 20 Aug 91 22:14:00 +0200 Date: Tue, 20 Aug 91 22:14:00 +0200 From: ns@csd.cri.dk (Nick Sandru) Organization: CRI A/S, Case Systems Division Message-Id: <9108202014.AA13809@csd.cri.dk> Received: by stilton.cri.dk (4.1/SMI-4.1) id AA04946; Tue, 20 Aug 91 22:14:02 +0200 To: ns@sandes.cri.dk Subject: LIVE from the Soviet Union... Status: RO >Path: cri.dk!dkuug!sunic!mcsun!uunet!wupost!rex!ames!ig!oberlin.bitnet!SKS2454 >From: SKS2454@oberlin.bitnet ("Acme Industrial Heavy Objects, Inc.") >Newsgroups: talk.politics.soviet >Subject: LIVE from the Soviet Union... >Message-ID: <2A3564CE7EBF000E2B@OBERLIN.BITNET> >Date: 19 Aug 91 21:31:00 GMT >Sender: daemon@presto.ig.com >Reply-To: "talk.politics.soviet via ListServ" >Lines: 57 I just watched the Soviet news show Vremya thanks to the folks at SCOLA. In addition to what we've already heard, here are a few more tidbits: The State Committee on the State of Emergency (Gosudarstvennyi Komitet po Chrezvychainomy Polozheniyu--GKChP) also includes the chairman of the Peasant's Union and the chairman of the Union of Industrial Enterprises (and transport and construction, etc.). Never was it specified exactly which parts of the USSR were included in the state of emergency, but Moscow and Latvia are definitely included. The commander of Moscow was declared to be General Kalinin of the Moscow Military District. The commander of the Baltic Military District was put in charge of the Baltic republics, according to First Secretary Rubiks of the Latvian Communist Party. The GKChP has declared control of the media and has limited publication of Moscow and central newspapers to a selected few, including Pravda, Izvestiya, Trud, Sovetskaya Rossiya, and Krasnaya Zvezda. At the press conference held by acting president Yanaev, a correspondent from Argumenty i Fakty asked what would happen to the newspapers that had been closed (including Moscow News). Yanaev replied that certain newspapers would have to be "re-registered", and that the press was in part responsible for the current tensions in the country. One of the prime objectives of the GKChP is to save the harvest. In order to do so it will take all necessary measures, including the use of workers and students in field labor. President Snegur of Moldova (Moldavia) announced that his republic would continue to pursue its course toward independence. A similar statement was made by the leadership of Estonia. However, the strike committee of enterprises in Estonia declared its support for the measures taken by the GKChP. President Nazarbaev of Kazakhstan did not declare explicit support for the GKChP, but asked the citizens of Kazakhstan to remain calm and not do anything to endanger the harvest. President Akaev of Kirghizistan also asked citizens to remain calm. President Landsbergis called for Lithuanians to defend their parliament once again. The report from Lithuania also included interviews with workers who support the GKChP, but from what I could tell they were probably Russian. On the streets of Moscow people were building barricades around the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR. When asked why they were doing this, one man replied, "Vilnius taught us. We should have expected this." At the press conference a Newsweek reporter asked Yanaev what, specifically, Gorbachev was sick with. Yanaev replied that Gorbachev was completely safe and resting. The GKChP has declared that any actions of political parties, social organizations and movements, etc., that obstruct the measures taken by the GKChP are illegal. Mass meetings and demonstrations are forbidden. However, a crowd gathered in front of the Leningrad City Soviet, whose deputies came out in support of the statement by Yeltsin condemning the "unconstitutional coup" and calling for a general strike. Karen Segar sks2454@oberlin sks2454@ocvaxa.cs.oberlin.edu -- Nick Sandru - System administrator | e-mail: ns@csd.cri.dk (office) Columbus Space Station SDE Project | ns@sandes.cri.dk (home) Computer Resources International A/S | phone: +45 45 82 21 00 x2036 (office) Bregnerodvej 144 | +45 47 98 06 27 (home) DK-3460 Birkerod, Denmark | fax: +45 45 82 17 11