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Ruslan Khasbulatov has played a central role in the dramatic changes in Russia over the last three years. He became Acting Speaker of the Russian parliament in July 1991 and helped to defend the Russian White House during the coup attempt of that August. He has since consolidated his influence in the Parliament, and has become one of the country's most powerful and controversial politicians. In this book, Khasbulatov presents his views on Russian politics before the coup, offers a vivid first-hand account of the resistance to the coup, and concludes with his views on the problem of power in the new Russia. He provides a unique insight into the development of Russia from communism to embryonic democracy and an unparalleled insider's account of some of the most momentous events of the late twentieth century.
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THE STRUGGLE FOR RUSSIA
THE STRUGGLE FOR RUSSIA Power and change in the democratic revolution
Ruslan Khasbulatov Edited by Richard Sakwa
London and New York
First published 1993 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2002. Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 Introduction and editorial matter © 1993 R.Sakwa Text © 1993 R.I.Khasbulatov Translation © 1993 Routledge Ltd All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 0-203-16220-X Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 0-203-16223-4 (Adobe eReader Format) ISBN 0-415-09292-2 (Print Edition) Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Khasbulatov, R.I. (Ruslan Imranovich) The struggle for Russia: power and change in the democratic revolution/ Ruslan Khasbulatov; edited by Richard Sakwa. p. cm. Translated from Russian. ISBN 0-415-09292-2 1. Soviet Union—History—Attempted coup, 1991—Personal narratives. 2. Khasbulatov, R.I. (Ruslan Imranovich) 3. Russia (Federation)—Politics and government—1991– 4. Soviet Union—Politics and government—1985–1991. I. Sakwa, Richard. II. Title. DK292.K47 1993 947.085’4–dc20 93–9490 CIP
CONTENTS
Author’s preface Introduction: Richard Sakwa
vii ix
Part I On the eve 1 PERSONAL 2 RUSSIA, SOCIALISM AND THE TRANSITION 3 IN POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT 4 REMAKING THE STATE The Union Treaty The Federal Treaty The Constitution of the Federation In the community of the Union 5 ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION Russia and the economic crisis The ‘500 days’ plan and beyond Land reform Privatisation and the market Economic reform and the world 6 BEYOND COMMUNISM Politics before the coup Rebuilding Russia Appendix: Union Treaty (drafted in August 1990)
3 18 30 43 43 50 56 64 76 76 87 94 95 100 105 105 121 128
Part II The coup 7 DAY ONE: 19 AUGUST 1991 Democracy in danger The deputies: organisers of the defence
139 139 142
8 DAY TWO: 20 AUGUST 1991 The ultimatum
153 153 v
THE STRUGGLE FOR RUSSIA
9 DAY THREE: 21 AUGUST 1991 A tragic night The session of the Supreme Soviet 10 23 AUGUST 1991: GORBACHEV IN PARLIAMENT 11 THE ORIGINS OF THE CONSPIRACY Questions, questions The role of the military The military-industrial complex The dirty work of Kryuchkov’s KGB 12 THE FATE OF FREEDOM On the verge of ruin The bankruptcy of the doomed Conclusion
163 163 165 170 185 185 188 193 195 200 200 201 204
Part III Power 13 ON POWER Thoughts of the Speaker 14 THE SEPARATION OF POWERS AND RUSSIA’S CRISIS The separation o