PRESIDIUM OF VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINIAN SSR RESOLUTION
On the Statement of the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR

The Statement of the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR (attached) shall be approved.

Kyiv, August 20, 1991

STATEMENT
OF PRESIDIUM OF VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINIAN SSR

The Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine points out that complete analysis and estimation of the developments around the State Committee on the State of Emergency in the USSR will be undertaken by the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR after the special session of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union will make its decisions. Before the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR passes any decision on the issue, provisions of the resolutions issued by the State Committee on the State of Emergency in the USSR have no legal force on the territory of Ukraine.

The Presidium establishes that no state of emergency is introduced on the territory of the Ukrainian SSR and observes no reasons for its introduction.

In Ukraine, there are valid the Constitution of the USSR, the Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR (888-09) and Laws and resolutions passed in accordance with them, and the bodies of state authority and administration elected in compliance with them exercise their powers.

The Presidium states that it will be coherent in standing for the state sovereignty of Ukraine, human rights, and democratic achievements initiated in 1985. We support the measures implemented by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Ukrainian SSR to protect the internal consumer market and strengthen the fight against crime, corruption, and speculation.

Taking into account the developments in the country, the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine calls upon the local councils of people’s deputies, leadership of state authorities, companies, establishments, and organizations, leaders of political parties, civic organizations and mass movements, all citizens of Ukraine to apply their every effort to avoid destabilization of the situation, aggravation of the social and economic situation in the republic, violation of the working rhythm and public order. Common efforts shall be applied to prevent confrontation and opposition, and to avoid rallies and manifestations. All efforts shall be focused to solve to the most important problems of everyday life of the republic, and to complete successfully the whole complex of agricultural works, preparation to the winter, and improvement of food supply to the population.