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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
93/09/21 Press Conference on Situation in Russia
Office of the Spokesman
PRESS CONFERENCE
SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER
ON
SITUATION IN RUSSIA
Washington, D.C.
September 21, 1993
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Good afternoon. From the first days of our
Administration, President Clinton has strongly supported political and
economic reform in Russia and President Yeltsin's personal leadership of
that process.
In today's speech to the Russian people, President Yeltsin set forth his
plan for new parliamentary elections as a means of resolving the
political impasse that has blocked reform and impeded constitutional
change.
Just as we did at the time of the April referendum, the Clinton
Administration supports President Yeltsin and his program for democratic
reform.
We believe that the Russian people should have the right to determine
the political future of their country at the ballot box. We urge
Russian leaders at all levels to work together in a democratic process
that maintains peace and stability while fully respecting civil
liberties and individual human rights.
President Clinton has just spoken by telephone with President Yeltsin to
assure him of our strong support and to seek assurances that the
elections will be free and fair.
I've just come from a meeting with the Speaker of the House and other
members of Congress. I stressed the importance of rapid Congressional
action to complete the enactment of the pending program of support for
Russian reform. By acting decisively at this critical juncture, we can
help democracy and market reform take root in Russia.
Support for Russian reform at this time is an investment in the national
security of the United States and the prosperity of the American people.
We will be guided by that principle as we assess the events of coming
days.
Now I'll be glad to take a few questions.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, do you feel that what Boris Yeltsin has done
is, in fact, consistent with the Constitution, or is it beyond -- far
beyond -- what the Constitution has outlined in --
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: I'm not going to get into a discussion of
Russian constitutional or legal principles today. That will be up to
the Russian people at the time they have an opportunity to vote in early
December.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, how do you distinguish between the actions
President Yeltsin has announced today -- and it's not clear whether they
will actually take place -- and the actions of other world leaders who
have initiated coups on their own in which democratic processes that
were already existent had been cast aside in favor of a scheme set up by
the leader?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Well, there are some important distinctions,
Ralph. First, President Yeltsin is the freely elected President of
Russia. Second, he proposed a referendum in April. The referendum was
strongly backed by the Russian people; and I remind you that that
referendum called for free elections -- early elections -- and I think
he has now moved to carry out the promise, really, that was contained in
that referendum.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, did you have any advance warning that
President Yeltsin was going to take this move?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: We had only about an hour's advance warning. He
called in our Ambassador and other Ambassadors in Moscow and gave them
that much advance warning.
I must say, the impasse between the Parliament and President Yeltsin was
quite apparent over the last several days; and now that we see this
action today, looking back over the events of the last week or two, it
brings into focus some things that were said at the time. But as far as
advance warning, we had only an hour or so advance warning.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, can President Yeltsin assume that he would
continue to have your backing if he were forced to take any military
action against his opponents?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: When President Clinton called today and talked
with President Yeltsin, he really had two purposes: First, to give him
expressions of support, and also ask for assurances that the elections
would be conducted in a free and fully democratic way. He gave that
support and he got the reassurances he asked for. I think that is the
reflection of the commitment that President Yeltsin has to move forward
in the democratic way that the referendum was conducted and he intends
to conduct these elections.
QUESTION: Did he say that he would not take any military action in the
period between now and the election?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: I really don't have anything further for you on
that. I've had a briefing on the conversation, but I think I'd ask you
to contact the White House if they're prepared to give you further
details than I have.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, what's your understanding of what's going on
on the ground in Moscow? Is President Yeltsin's hold on authority in
any danger? What do you know about what the military is doing?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: We have no indication of any abnormal or unusual
movements. The Ministry of Defense has announced that they're going to
maintain a position of strict neutrality.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, you mentioned that the Russian people have the
right to determine their political future at the ballot box. Consistent
with that principle, do you believe that President Yeltsin should offer
himself up for election, and if not, why not?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: I think President Yeltsin will not make himself
an exception in any respect. My understanding is that he expects the
new Parliament that's elected to call for Presidential elections, and
he'll stand for election as a candidate in those elections if he so
chooses. He does not, I think, ask for any special exception or special
treatment for himself.
QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, what does this do to the aid package which is
now nearing completion before the Senate? Would you support
conditioning that in some way on Yeltsin's remaining the President?
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Not at all. I think that aid package should go
forward. I think the reasons are even stronger than they were before
this announcement for the Congress to complete the enactment of this aid
package.
Thank you very much.
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