VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINIAN SSR RESOLUTION
On Political Situation in Ukraine and Immediate Actions of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to Develop Conditions to Prevent Further Military Coup

(Vidomosti Verkhovnoyi Rady (VVR) 1991, #38, p. 503)

The anticonstitutional coup d'Etat organized by the former governmental leadership, KGB authorities, the Army, the USSR internal affairs authorities, the USSR Communist Party Central Committee failed because of counteraction of democratic forces, primarily the President, the Supreme Council of the Russian Soviet Federal Socialist Republic, and penetration of the perestroika ideas into the general public. The tragic page of the common history of our country resulted from a deep political and socio-economic crisis in the society, opposition between political forces, and mistakes committed by the central authorities.

The crisis revealed lack of sufficient mechanisms in the republic for protection of the constitutional order and sovereignty, and for counteraction to illegal regulations of the false state committee. The situation in Ukraine was stabilized under the support provided by the Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR and the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of the UkrSSR that did not recognize the legal force of the regulations, issued by the Committee set up in Moscow, on the territory of the republic.

The Verkhovna Rada of the Ukraine r e s o l v e s that:

1. Prior to October 1, 1991, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Commissions of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Defense and State Security, on Legislation and Legality, on Law and Order and Combating Crime shall submit for consideration of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine a draft law of Ukraine on legal terms and conditions of the state of emergency. Prior to November 1, 1991, they shall submit draft laws on the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on duties and rights of the internal troops of Ukraine, on protection of the civil order, and on the state security authorities of Ukraine.

In October 1991, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Defense and State Security shall submit for consideration of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine their proposals on creation of the Republican Guards and a security detachment for the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and the National Bank of Ukraine.

The setup the Council of Defense of Ukraine shall be recognized as necessary. The Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine shall submit the relevant proposals for the consideration on the floor.

2. The Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Legislation and Legality shall submit for consideration of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine its proposals to amend Article 97 of the Constitution (Basic Law) of the Ukrainian SSR with provisions on creation of military units subordinated to the republican bodies of authority and administration, and on introduction in case of necessity of the state of emergency on the territory of the republic.

The Constitution of Ukraine shall be amended to introduce the Office of President in the republic, and formation of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine shall be expedited.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Commission of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Legislation and Legality shall prepare and submit for consideration of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine a draft resolution on procedures for temporary validity of certain laws of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the territory of the republic before relevant laws of Ukraine are passed. They shall also submit a Draft Address to the United Nations Organization requesting it to become a guarantor to support the independence of Ukraine as a subject of international law and a UN member.

3. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine shall submit draft legal acts transferring the companies subordinated to the Soviet Union into the ownership of Ukraine. Uncontrolled export of material resources of the republic shall be prevented.

4. Prior to October 1, 1991, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Board of the National Bank of Ukraine, Commissions of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Economic Reform and Management, on Planning, Budget, Finance and Prices shall submit their proposals on introduction of a monetary unit, its circulation and conversion.

5. The Government of Ukraine, local councils of people’s deputies, ministries and agencies shall focus their efforts on solving the most urgent social issues and meeting vital needs of citizens. First and foremost, it is necessary to ensure organized harvesting, state purchase of grain and other agricultural products, supply of food and consumer goods to the population, preparation to the winter, and development of the necessary fuel reserves. A coordinated work for reliable protection of the consumer market of the republic shall be undertaken.

6. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine shall submit a draft legislative act to provide the Government and executive committees of local councils of people’s deputies with the right to bring to account, including the right to dismiss officials of lower executive and regulatory bodies of councils, as well as companies, establishment, and organizations.

The relevant competent authorities shall check up activities of officials of bodies of authority and administration, civic associations, and organizations that have committed illegal actions to support the rebels in the period of anticonstitutional coup d'Etat.  (August 19-21, 1991).

*                                   *

*

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine addresses to the people of Ukraine, all parties, civic organizations and movements and calls upon consolidation of the society, strengthened law and order and discipline, mobilization of efforts of the working groups to increase the output, ensure harvesting, fulfillment of the state order, and successful preparation to winder.

The fate of our sovereignty, improvement of social well-being, protection of human rights depends on the consciousness and attitude to the personal duties of every citizen.

Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine  Leonid Kravchuk

Kyiv, August 24, 1991

#1428-XII