Written Answers. - Developments in Russia.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:
53
Proinsias De Rossa
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will give the Government's view on recent developments in Russia, including the statement by President Yeltsin dissolving the Russian Parliament; his views on whether President Yeltsin acted constitutionally in this regard; if he will urge that both the President and the Parliament seek a compromise to avoid bloodshed and ensure the continuation of democratic reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Nora Owen
Question:
102
Mrs. Owen
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will make a statement on the situation in Russia giving Ireland's attitude to President Yeltsin's actions.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 102 together.
The recent developments in the Russian Federation, which we are monitoring very closely, are a matter of very serious concern to the Government. The loss of life, resulting from events in Moscow on Sunday and Monday last, is tragic. Those who precipitated this violence bear a heavy responsibility.
On 21 September, when President Yeltsin issued a decree dissolving the Russian Parliament and providing for parliamentary elections in December, he acknowledged that it had proved impossible to establish new constitutional structures without acting beyond the limits of Russia's inherited Constitution. Subsequently he announced that presidential elections would be held in June 1994.
Following the 21 September decree, President Yeltsin continued to seek a compromise solution with members of the Parliament, including through the mediation efforts of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox church. The responsibility for the violence on 3 and 4 October rests with those in the Russian Parliament who have so clearly demonstrated their implacable opposition to reform.
The broad approach which the Government has taken to the political and constitutional crisis has been to:
—support President Yeltsin in his efforts to bring about political and economic reforms;
—emphasise that the principles of democracy and human rights should remain central to these reforms; and
—underline the importance of the Russian people having the opportunity to express themselves through early elections.
At their meeting in Luxembourg on 4 October, EC Foreign Ministers confirmed their support for President Yeltsin and the reform process and stressed the need for an early restoration of a peaceful and democratic order. They agreed to press forward as a matter of urgency with the negotiation of a Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the Community and the Russian Federation.
As I indicated in reply to a written question yesterday, we have taken steps to ensure that the Russian Government is fully aware of our concerns about the situation in Russia. On 29 September, the Taoiseach conveyed to President Yeltsin his hopes that the efforts which he and his Government were making to implement political reforms, consolidate democracy and to create a market economy in the Russian Federation would be successful. I had the opportunity of meeting Russian Foreign Minister Kozyrev in New York last week and I shall avail of future contracts with him to discuss the situation in Russia and how we can most effectively assist the reform process.
The Government hopes that the current crisis in Russia will be quickly overcome, that the emergency measures can be rescinded, and that the Russian people will be given the opportunity to express themselves through the democratic process.
