Russia at the Barricades: Eyewitness Accounts of the August 1991 Coup

Russia at the Barricades: Eyewitness Accounts of the August 1991 Coup

Gregory Freidin

Language: English

Pages: 384

ISBN: 1563242729

Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub


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putschists. The coup was intended to prevent the signing of a new Union Treaty and decentralization of the Soviet Union. But in the aftermath of the coup, negotiations over the treaty faltered and, barely four months later, the USSR had ceased to exist. The plotters, all of them high-ranking Communist officials, also sought to preserve the Party’s unique position in the country’s political and economic life. Their ill-conceived and poorly executed plan had precisely the opposite effect. The most

opportunities have been constrained, and he has been driven to despair. Right before our eyes, all the democratic institutions, created on the basis of the will of the people, are losing their authority. All of this is the result of the systematic activity of those who, in gross violation of the Fundamental Law of [the Constitution] the USSR, are, in fact, carrying out an unconstitutional coup d’état, pursuing the goal of unrestrained personal dictatorship. The prefectures, mayoralties, and other

explained what one should do during a gas attack. And I didn’t even have a handkerchief. People who had some supplies distributed bandages and rags. I said that I would not soak those rags in a rain puddle—it wasn’t clean. The experienced people said that we should not soak the rags in water, but in urine! I should tell you that I was peeing in the bushes all the time, because I was really scared, and when you’re scared, you have to. Everyone tried to get me to save this valuable liquid, or at

reformist policies.4 In mid-June, critics of perestroika in the government leadership—including future putschists Valentin Pavlov, Dmitrii Yazov, Boris Pugo, and Vladimir Kriuchkov—attempted to carry out a “constitutional coup d’état” by expanding the powers of Prime Minister Pavlov, an outspoken opponent of the new Union Treaty which was then being negotiated. Their efforts failed. On July 23, 1991, twelve Soviet leaders, including high-ranking army officers, published a dramatic appeal in the

at this tragic hour I appeal to you. Do not let yourselves be snared in the web of lies, promises, and demagogic arguments about the soldier’s duty. Do not allow yourselves to become a blind weapon of the criminal will of a group of adventurers who have violated the Constitution and the laws of the USSR. A soldier reads Yeltsin’s appeal to the armed forces Soldiers! I appeal to you. Think about your loved ones, your friends, and your people. At this difficult hour of decision, remember that you

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