老戈锐评八一九

https://www.gorby.ru/presscenter/news/show_30278/

从俄文用DeepL翻译为英文

statement by Mikhail Gorbachev on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the 1991 August coup d'etat

I have been approached by many media outlets with a request to comment on the thirtieth anniversary of the 1991 August coup. It is impossible to respond to all of them individually, but I do not want to remain silent. I am giving my answer via Russian news agencies.

I have repeatedly voiced my estimations. When the putschists, having isolated me in Foros, having cut off all forms of communication, sent their representatives to me, I categorically rejected their demand to sign the decree on state of emergency. I described their actions as criminal, as a gamble. In the statement addressed to the Congress of People's Deputies and the Supreme Soviet, I stated that the actions of the GKChP are a deception of the people and usurpation of power.

The putschists' adventure was doomed thanks to the solid position of the USSR President, the Russian President, the courage of thousands of Muscovites, many public figures and deputies. People did not want a return to the old order. The democratic institutions created as a result of perestroika have generally passed the test.

Subsequently, the putschists changed their "versions" of the events more than once. At first they repented, and then followed the advice of one of the conspirators: "Blame it on Gorbachev". But the facts remain the facts. They were established by the investigation of the GKChP case, and it is impossible to refute them.

The putsch failed, but it complicated and weakened the position of the president of the USSR and created an environment in which it was incredibly difficult to continue efforts to preserve the Union. The republics adopted declarations of independence. But there was still a chance to preserve the Union on a renewed basis. In December, however, the second blow came: the Belovezhskiy coup plot by the leaders of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus to end the existence of the USSR.

The coup plotters, while trying to justify themselves, claimed that they were motivated by the preservation of the country, but the consequences of their adventure proved disastrous. They bear a huge share of the responsibility for the country's collapse.

I believe that the lessons of those days are relevant today. To defend the principles of democracy and rule of law, to exclude any possibility of usurpation of power, adventurist actions - this should always be the concern of society and the state. I believe that the democratic path of Russia's development is the only right one, that only through this path can our country develop and solve any problems.