GORBACHEV, YELTSIN IN PUBLIC
August 23, 1991

Two days after returning to power, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev addressed parliament and faced a rising democratic opposition headed by Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

 

Online Special: 10 Years after the Coup. Online Special: The Putin Election and Life after Yelstin Browse the NewsHour's coverage of Russia and Europe   BBC's Report on the Russian Coup Russian Embassy in the U.S.	ROBERT MacNEIL: We begin our analysis of the Soviet story with an extended excerpt from Mikhail Gorbachev's extraordinary appearance before the parliament of the Russian Federation. He had to share top billing with Russian President Boris Yeltsin and he faced a barrage of questioning and heckling. After his opening speech, Mr. Gorbachev was first asked why he would not outlaw the Communist Party in the USSR.
	Gorbachev before parliament
	PRES. GORBACHEV: [Speaking through Interpreter] A question has been asked in such a clearly way that I can only answer it equally clearly and definitely. If you set the task before the Supreme Soviet and the government of the Russian federation and even before other Supreme Soviets of driving socialism from the territory of the Soviet Union we will never succeed in accomplishing such a task. This is just another way of carrying on a crusade or religious war at the present time. Socialism, as I understand it, is a type of conviction which people have and we are not the only ones that have it. But it exists in other countries, not only today but at other times. And we have declared here freedom of conviction, freedom of belief. And if we start to do what I say - - no, no, no, you just listen to what I have to say. LEGISLATOR: [Speaking through Interpreter] Mikhail Sergeivich, we haven't heard about any practical measures other than some new appointments. We haven't heard anything about the question of property or other matters. PRES. GORBACHEV: [Speaking through Interpreter] First of all I do not agree with you. I sense that the whole point was that at this stage we now directly realize what goals we have to pursue to reach a new life. We have to sign the union treaty. We have to have an anti-crisis program, a food program, a fuel program. The finances have to be stabilized. We have to do all of these things. In order to do this, we must have a major regrouping of forces, a new legislator and executive which will take on themselves responsibility which would have confidence, who will solve all these problems. BORIS YELTSIN, President, Russia: [Speaking through Interpreter] The question of property was raised. I'd like to remind you that we during these events have agreed that if you do not take a decision on conveying the property on the territory of Russia to the Russian jurisdiction that the President of Russia would do that by issuing a decree to that effect. I on the 20th of this month did sign such a decree, but you today said that you would sign a decree confirming all of my decrees. [applause] PRES. GORBACHEV: [Speaking through Interpreter] I do not think that you have tried to put me in a trap by bringing me here, no, I do not think that. Let me confirm once again that the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation and the President and its government in these extremely difficult situations acted the way they did and what they did was dictated by the situation and therefore has the force of law and has to be confirmed by the President even post facto everything that concerns the question of carrying out the union treaty or implementing the union treaty, as we have discussed this with Boris Nikolaivich, and I hereby confirm this.
	The end of the Party?
	BORIS YELTSIN: [Speaking through Interpreter] Comrades, how about the decree on cessation of activity of the Russian Communist Party? [Applause] And the decree is hereby signed. PRES. GORBACHEV: [Speaking through Interpreter] Wait a minute. It was not the whole Communist Party of record that participated in this plot and supported it. Therefore, if it is determined that the Russian Committee or some other provincial committee were in solidarity with this committee, the coup plotters, then I would support such a decree. But to prohibit the Communist Party, I have to tell you, would be a mistake for such a democratic Supreme Soviet or such a democratic president of Russia. BORIS YELTSIN: [Speaking through Interpreter] It is not a proposition. It is a decree on cessation of the activity of the Communist Party until this can be dealt with by the courts. It's a law. [applause] The party will not be registered any longer in Russia. PRES. GORBACHEV: [Speaking through Interpreter] Let's remain democrats to the end, remain democrats to the end, and then everybody will be with you.

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