May 28, 2013

Crimea 94. Part 11 "And at the Heart of All Ideas of Getting United Is Scam Stealing"

Part 10 "How Was Being Introduced a Control of the Uncontrollable Situation"

Part 9 "August, 1994"

Part 8. "Split"

Part 7. "Separatists Begin and …Lose"

Part 6. "At the Peak of the Fleet-Wide Psychosis"

Part 5 “It Nearly Came to War”

Part 4. “Sevastopol - Crimea – Russia”

Part 3. “How the Black Sea Fleet Was Divided “Fraternally”

Part 2. “Black Sea Fleet on the Scales of Political Tender“

Part 1. “The Russian Federation’s Black Sea Fleet and National Security of Ukraine”

"...And at the same time, all attempts of the Ukrainian Navy Commander Vice Admiral V.Bezkorovaynyi to put this process into the frames of the legal field kept meeting open resistance of the government of Sevastopol".

Thus ended the previous 10 part of the material "Crimea 94"

Part 11 "And at the Heart of All Ideas of Getting United Is ScamStealing"

However, the main attention the Black Sea Fleet Commandment had always been paying to political issues. In particular, at the Headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet there was prepared an analytic note to the Head of the Russian State Duma (Council) Committee on CIS K. Zatulin, which set out the measures to preserve the unity of the Fleet and its base at Sevastopol. Thus, the Russian Government was recommended to stick to a strict policy in regard to Ukraine, and under no circumstances to agree to concessions. At this, was not minded the signing of a large-scale Russian Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with Ukraine only in case of all problems of the Black Sea Fleet had been settled with having taken into consideration Russia’s interests.

At the same time, a group of Deputies of the Crimean Parliament appealed to the President of the Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin, Prime Minister of the RF Viktor Chernomyrdin and other Russian officials, demanding to confirm the decision of the State Duma of 9 July 1993 on the "Russian Federal Status of Sevastopol."

Of course, large-scale information campaign in support of Russian interests in the Crimea, Sevastopol, and concerning the Black Sea Fleet, never stopped. Especially under unfair criticism attacks had been the Commandment of the Ukrainian Navy, consistently defending the rights of the Ukrainian state to have its own Navy. At this, the public of the Crimea and Sevastopol was imposed the idea of ​​the need for the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations on the division of the Black Sea Fleet, maintaining the system of its basing in the Crimean Peninsula under the control of the Russian Federation.

Admiral A.Kalinin (1928-2004), Commander of the BSF in 1983-1985, Head of the Union of Hero Cities of CIS in 1997-2000
Admiral  A.Kalinin (1928-2004), Commander of the BSF in 1983-1985, Head of the Union of Hero Cities of CIS in 1997-2000
http://ru.wikipedia.org/

For example, in the media of the Crimea was published an article by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Union of Hero-Cities, a retired Admiral O.Kalinin, in which he stated that the combat potential of the Black Sea Fleet, compared with 1991, had decreased more than twice. On this basis, the retired Admiral demanded on behalf of the veterans of the Fleet to immediately sign a defense agreement by all countries of the CIS, to save a sole BSF, having transferred its entire infrastructure in the Crimea to Russia, to confirm the status of Sevastopol as the main base of the Black Sea Fleet, and to disband the Naval Forces of Ukraine, or to make them part of the Black Sea Fleet.

By the way, at the time had increased the number of pro-Russian media, openly anti-Ukrainian, chauvinistic ones included. For example, in mid-December in the Crimea and Sevastopol, appeared a new newspaper "Warrior of the Commonwealth", propagating the idea of ​​neo-imperial ideas of forced grouping of former Soviet republics around Moscow. Naturally, the newspaper was against the sovereignty of Ukraine, against the division of the Black Sea Fleet and against the Ukrainian Navy.

***

It should be noted that the imperial ambitions of Russia had been more and more affected by its domestic problems, first of all – by the conflict in Chechnya. It touched the Black Sea Fleet, which then began hasty preparations of the Air Assault Battalion for its participation in fighting at the Chechen territory. At this, this fact had been carefully concealed by the Russian side, in order to avoid accusations from Ukraine of Russia’s use of forces and means of the Black Sea Fleet (abiding at that moment subordinate to both, Russia and Ukraine) without having coordinated it with Ukraine.

***

Yu.Meshkov - a prominent orator. His policy he was making with a megaphone at meetings.
Yu.Meshkov - a prominent orator. His policy he was making with a megaphone at meetings.
Фото Л. Берестовского http://www.segodnya.ua/

Meanwhile, the political situation in the Crimea was being affected by the confrontation between two branches of power in the Peninsula, in particular, inter-factional struggle in the Parliament of the Autonomy. Thus, on the 21st of December, 1994 to no avail ended Yu. Meshkov and S.Tsekov’s attempt to return to a zero balance of forces in the ARC. The reason was the soaring ambitions of both parties, their desire to strengthen their positions in power.

In particular, for this purpose Yu.Meshkov proposed to create a so-called "Council of Civic Harmony", to which to invite loyal to him Deputies, as well as representatives from industry, business, educational and cultural institutions, public and religious organizations. As stated the "President" of the Crimea, the body would help to solve political and economic problems in the Peninsula. In fact, it was supposed to be used to strengthen Yu.Meshkov’s own positions.

As a counterbalance to this idea and contrary to his unreservedly pro-Russian position, the Speaker of the Crimean Parliament S.Tsekov yet again tried to enlist the support of the leadership of Ukraine, and suddenly acted in support of the bill of the Supreme Council of Ukraine "On the State and Local Self-Government”, in which the Crimea was defined as an autonomous republic, part of Ukraine.

On the 22nd of December, 1994 ended another round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on the Black Sea Fleet division. The parties had not been able to resolve the major issues of re-subordinating military units and bases. Besides, Russia maintained its claims for Sevastopol, which had been actively supported by the pro-Russian forces of the Crimea. Thus, Deputies of the Supreme Council of the Crimea from the faction of the "Russia-Unity" movement, with the support of the Black Sea Fleet Commandment, tried to shape public opinion on the need to confirm the "Russian status of Sevastopol" as a prerequisite to further Crimea’s joining Russia, as well as a union of the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Belarus.

In this regard, were also raised questions about opening in Sevastopol of a Naval Lyceum of Russia, transition of Crimean schools to Russia’s educational programs. That was an attempt to consolidate pro-Russian ideas in the minds of the Crimean youth.

The leadership of the Sevastopol organization of the AUCP (b) echoed them, forcing upon the idea of ​​the need to maintain a sole Black Sea Fleet only in submission to Russia.

Mayor of Moscow Yuri Luzhkov also joined this campaign, having arrived in Sevastopol for the ceremony of commissioning of a residential building for Russian Navy servicemen.

***

However, actions of pro-Russian forces of the Crimea did not only concentrate solely around the Black Sea Fleet. They were of much deeper nature. Thus, on the 23d of December in connection with the 72nd anniversary of the foundation of the former USSR, the Supreme Council of the Crimea adopted a resolution calling for denunciation of Bialowiezhskiy Agreement between Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. The Parliament of the Autonomy even addressed the highest legislative bodies of these countries with the requirement to start the creation of a new economic, political and military alliance up to the creation of a "sole state."

The idea of ​​the Supreme Council of the Crimea was immediately supported by the City Council of Sevastopol. As stated Crimean Communists, a similar position had other local Councils of the Peninsula, as well as of some other areas and regions of Ukraine, in particular – Luhansk region.

Of course, resonant actions of pro-Russian forces of the Crimea had been accompanied by increased activity of the Black Sea Fleet. Thus, had increased the intensity of combat trainings of the 810th Separate Marine Brigade of the BSF. Flights of the Fleet’s aircrafts from Oktyabrskoe airfield also got activated.

***

The approach of the new year, as well as Christmas and New Year holidays had temporarily reduced tensions of political passions in the Crimea. Activity of the Crimean separatists resumed only closer to the middle of January, 1995 in the form of Yu. Meshkov’s another interview to the Crimean media, in which he categorically ruled out a possibility of realization in the Crimea of the adopted by Verkhovna Rada (Supreme Council) of Ukraine Law "On State Power and Local Self-Government."

At this, Yu.Meshkov, as before, was pinning his trust on pro-Russian forces of the Peninsula, centered on the "President" as the main carrier of their ideas. In particular, one of such notable forces was “All-Crimean Movement of Voters for the Republic of the Crimea.” It was created with the direct participation of the Russian Federation and had been traditionally expressing its interests. On the 11th of January, 1995 the Executive Committee of the Movement adopted another resolution on support of Yu. Meshkov’s efforts aimed at "further strengthening of the statehood of the Crimea", as well as activation of preparations for the referendum on early dismissal of the Supreme Council of the ARC.

Yu.Meshkov was also supported by the Black Sea Fleet Commandment. On the 16th of January, 1995, during a routine visit of the "President" of the Crimea to Sevastopol, he was received by the Commander of the Black Sea Fleet E.Baltin, who confirmed his favorable attitude towards the “President”. There, in Sevastopol, the "President" of the Crimea met with officers from the Fleet Headquarters and confirmed his course to the Crimea’s joining Russia. The audience expressed their appreciation.

Another pillar of the "President" was so-called "Cossacks", united in the "Crimean Cossack Union" – a para-military organization led by a former officer of the BSF V.Kobzarev. Of course, the political platform of the organization assumed "loyalty to the unified Russian state."

***

Another support to the “President” of the Crimea were so-called “kossacks”, united into the “Crimean Kossack Union”
Another support to the “President” of the Crimea were so-called “kossacks”, united into the “Crimean Kossack Union”
http://russian.kiev.ua

Traditionally, activation of anti-Ukrainian forces of the Crimea was accompanied by the increased activity of the Black Sea Fleet, which this time coincided with preparations of the Black Sea Fleet Marines for the war in Chechnya. Thus, at the site of the 810th Separate Marine Division continued intensive trainings of the enhanced tactical battalion of marines for combat operations in mountainous and urban areas. In particular, on 17-18 January, 1995 were conducted control firings of the leaving for Chechnya units, as well as tests of professional quality of drivers of tanks, armored personnel carriers and self-propelled guns. And at this, no one made it clear that these skills could be useful not only in Chechnya, but in the Crimea to support local pro-Russian forces.

However, the worsening economic situation in the Russian Federation forced to cut the Black Sea Fleet, which, as they say, was being "cut to the quick", despite Russia's interests in the Crimea and problems in the North Caucasus. On the 17th of January, 1995, in the midst of the above activities, the Headquarters of the Air Force of the Black Sea Fleet received a directive on its disbandment by October 1, 1995. Also subject to disband was the 43rd Separate Naval Attack Aviation Regiment (Gvardeyskoye Airfield, 30 Су -17), the 78th Anti-Submarine Helicopter Regiment (Mirnyi airfield, 52 helicopters Ka-25), 318th Separate Anti-Submarine Aviation Regiment (17 Be-12). Many of these aircrafts, without the consent of the Ukraine, were being thrown over to Russia.

The coastal base of the Black Sea Fleet was also being reduced. At this, the Russian side did everything possible to avoid giving away the vacant infrastructure for the formation of the Ukrainian Navy. In particular, it concerned the facilities of the former unit of Submarine Forces in Balaklava, which had to go to Ukraine. Despite the Russian-Ukrainian agreements on this issue, the Commander of the Black Sea Fleet E.Baltin gave the vacated premises to commercial structures of Sevastopol.

The same fate was awaiting the Naval base Donuzlav, scheduled for reduction in 1995.

***

As a rule, a decrease of the Russian military presence in the Crimea, Russia tried to compensate by intensifying its influence on the local population. First of all, they purposefully kept inviting youth for service in the Russian Army and Navy. By the way, the problem of service in the RF Armed Forces was becoming urgent because of the total Islamization of the Russian state after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Thus, on 27 January at the Black Sea Fleet arrived the Chief of Leningrad Higher Naval College (LHNC) Rear Admiral Halluilin (typical "Russian" name). The main purpose of his visit was selection of candidates from young people of Sevastopol and the Crimea for joining the College.

T

Раиса Телятникова, лидер «Российской общины Севастополя»
Raisa Telyatnikova, leader of the “Russian Community of Sevastopol”
http://russian.kiev.ua/

here, at the Headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet, were held entrance exams for LHNC. At the same time at the base of the 7th Training Detachment of the Black Sea Fleet, for high school graduates of Sevastopol schools were organized so-called "Olympic Games", to find out candidates for entering Naval colleges of Russia. Those, enrolled as candidates, were granted Russian citizenship. Assistance in preparing all necessary documents was provided by the "Russian Community of Sevastopol", headed by R.Telyatnikova, supported by the Black Sea Fleet Commandment.

***

However, all this was just one of the episodes in Russia’s Battle of the Crimea and Sevastopol. The main efforts of the Russian side were focused on giving the population of the Crimea Russian citizenship. Moreover, this "citizenship" was supposed to cover as great a number of Crimean residents as possible. In future, it was to serve as a basis for a possible "legitimate" aggression against Ukraine under the pretext of "protecting Russian Compatriots" at the Ukrainian territory.

At this, such actions were actively supported by both, the Supreme Council of the Crimea and Crimean pro-Russian organizations. For example, at the end of January 1995 at the invitation of the Crimean Parliament in Sevastopol arrived a Russian Consular group for providing residents of the city with Russian citizenship. This caused a massive stir among pro-Russian forces of Sevastopol, which resulted in an appeal to the Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev with a request to open in the city a permanent Consulate of the Russian Federation.

***

However, the threat to security of the Crimea was coming not from Moscow alone. More and more the situation in the Peninsula was being affected by the events in Chechnya. First of all, it was a stream of refugees having rushed to the Crimea from the North Caucasus. At this, people from Chechnya and other regions in southern Russia began mass buying up, and even illegally capturing land.

Also began frequent cases of recruitment of Crimean residents into North Caucasian gangs, as well as attempts to illegally purchase weapons from the Black Sea Fleet subunits. All this had led to a dramatic worsening of the crime situation in the Crimean Peninsula.

Yu.Meshkov tried to use these circumstances for re-subordination of power structures of the ARC to himself. Thus, on the 4th of February, headed by the "President", was held a Session of the Government of the Autonomous Republic, at which Yu.Meshkov again proposed to establish a National Guard of the Crimea. It was supposed to be made of Crimean recruits and their equipment had to be weapons obtained after the reduction of ​​the Armed Forces of Russia and Ukraine in the Crimea.

***

Catching up on domestic issues, pro-Russian forces of the Crimea tried to come out onto the "international" level. On February 8, 1995 in Simferopol took place a so-called "Slavic Congress of the Crimea", which was attended by more than a dozen of political parties and organizations of Russia and Ukraine. Participants of the "Congress" passed a resolution condemning the Ukrainian Government for "creating obstacles to integration processes in the CIS."

In the development of these actions, on the 10th of February, 1995 in Yalta was founded a "permanent Inter-Parliamentary Conference" of the Crimea, Russia, Kazakhstan and Trans-Dniester. The goal of this formation was "coordination of efforts of parliamentarians for the resumption of the common political and economic space at the territory of the former Soviet Union."

***

On the 8-9th of February, 1995 in the Crimean Parliament Yu.Meshkov’s supporters made another unsuccessful attempt to remove from the political arena of the ARC the main enemy of the "President" – the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Autonomy, S.Tsekov. But the Deputies of the Parliament of the ARC again re-elected S.Tsekov Speaker of the supreme legislative body of the Peninsula.

With these developments coincided another publication of results of a sociological survey conducted by the Crimean Humanities Research Center, which showed a sharp decline in Yu.Meshkov’s popularity among voters of the ARC. Thus, the number of the disappointed with his work had increased to 43%, while supporters of the "President" made only 2%.

Trying to increase Yu.Meshkov’s rating, his supporters from "All-Crimean Movement of Voters for the Republic of the Crimea," on the 19th of February held a meeting in Sevastopol in which participated representatives of the Russian Party of Crimea and the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia. The protesters accused the Russian President Boris Yeltsin in the "collapse of the Soviet Union", and demanded to separate the Crimea from Ukraine, to give Sevastopol a Russian status and to consolidate the Russian military presence at the whole territory of the former Soviet Union. Besides, representatives of the Liberal Democratic Party announced plans to create a representation of their party in the Crimea. In its turn, on the 23d of February,1995 the "Russia-Unity" fraction of the Supreme Council of the Crimea submitted to the Parliament a bill on citizenship of the ARC, which suggested dual citizenship for residents of the Autonomy.

***

In all these processes was actively participating the Commandment of the Black Sea Fleet, seeking to seize opportunities to advance Russian interests in the Peninsula. Thus, against the background of another intensification of anti-Ukrainian activities of pro-Russian forces of the Crimea increased the number of public statements of representatives of the Black Sea Fleet aimed at strengthening the Fleet’s positions in the Crimean Peninsula. In particular, in these statements was justified commercial activity of the BSF’s subunits (even with breaking Law of Ukraine), was grounded the necessity of the Black Sea Fleet’s permanent presence in the Crimea, Ukraine was being accused of its attempts to build its Naval Forces “at the cost of the Russian side”, they also were compromising the Commandment of the Ukrainian Naval Forces in the eyes of the population of the Crimea and Sevastopol.

Under the guise of verbal hype the Russian military Commandment was taking out contents of the storage of aviation assets of the BSF in Simferopol, equipment of radio subdivisions of Donuzlav and Yevpatoria to the territory of the Russian Federation.

***

In early March 1995, the Parliament of the Crimea made yet another one, already a "traditional", attempt to remove S.Tsekov from his post. The attempt failed again. On March 9 his powers were confirmed by 57 Deputies out of 97 that voted.

And already on the 16th of March took place another action of Yu.Meshkov’s supporters from the "all-Crimean Movement of Voters for the Republic of the Crimea." Thus, at the congress of the organization, it was decided to apply to the State Duma of the Russian Federation with the proposal not to ratify the basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Russia and Ukraine before the referendum on the status of the Crimea and Sevastopol.

***

In fact, the situation was coming into a "dull corner." At this, the Parliament of the ARC did not even try to fulfill the demand of the Supreme Council of Ukraine on bringing the Constitution of the Crimea in accordance with the Main Law of Ukraine.

Retribution

On the 17th of March, 1995 the political and legal situation in the Crimea was considered at the plenary meeting of the third session of the Supreme Council of Ukraine. Following this discussion, the decision was taken to cancel the Constitution of the ARC from May 6, 1992, to liquidate the "institute of Presidency" in the Crimea, as well as to start criminal proceedings against Yu.Meshkov on charges of abuse of power. Prior to the adoption of the new Constitution of the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea, the Autonomy had to be guided only by the Main Law of Ukraine. At the same time, the Supreme Council of Ukraine retained the powers of the Parliament and Government of the ARC.

Besides, the Supreme Council of Ukraine adopted the Resolution "On the Election of Deputies and Heads of Local Councils of the ARC" and the Law of Ukraine "On the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea", which fixed the status of the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea as part of Ukraine.

***

The decision of the Supreme Council caused a hysterical reaction of the leadership of the Crimea and in Moscow. On the 17th of March in Simferopol was held an emergency meeting of the Presidium of the Parliament of the ARC, dedicated to formulating the Crimean authorities’ positions on the above subject. During the meeting, Speaker of the Crimean Supreme Council S.Tsekov expressed his protest against the decisions of the Supreme Council of Ukraine. At the same time, he acknowledged that a number of provisions of the Constitution of the ARC did not correspond to the Constitution of Ukraine.

Such a position of S.Tsekov can be explained simply enough: on the one hand, he had to take care of his image in the eyes of pro-Russian forces of the Crimea, and on the other - to demonstrate his loyalty to Ukraine, which was supporting him in his conflict with Yu.Meshkov. Interestingly, similar was the position of Yu. Meshkov himself, who said that he would not take any actions in response to decisions of the Supreme Council of Ukraine.

However, some of the Crimean Parliamentarians were calling for more radical actions, in particular, to cancelling the moratorium on holding a referendum on the independence of the Crimea. Besides, the pro-Russian forces in the Crimean Parliament urged their supporters to "speak in defense of the statehood of the Crimean Peninsula," as opposing to the actions of Ukraine. Following the meeting, on March 18 was scheduled an emergency meeting of the Supreme Council of the Crimea.

Deputy Head of the State “Duma”’s Committee on Affairs of Compatriots K.Zatulin did not exclude a possibility of development of the situation in the Crimea according to the “Chechen scenario”
Deputy Head of the State “Duma”’s Committee on Affairs of Compatriots K.Zatulin did not exclude a possibility of development of the situation in the Crimea according to the “Chechen scenario”
http://obozrevatel.com/

Russia did not stand aside either. Speaking with an urgent message, the Speaker of the Russian Parliament I.Rybkin announced the plans of the State Duma of the Russian Federation in the nearest future to hold a special meeting on the issue of the Crimea. In his turn, a well-known "Ukraine’s friend" - the Deputy Head of the Duma Committee on the Affairs of Compatriots Zatulin did not exclude the possibility of the development of the situation in the Crimea according to the "Chechen scenario," which, he said, could lead to a sharp worsening of relations between Russia and Ukraine.

But the U.S. administration confirmed the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and in its statement it recognized the Crimea as an integral part of Ukraine.

***

Despite appeals of the Crimean Parliamentarians to the population of the Crimea to come to the defense of "independence of the ARC," in general the situation in the Peninsula on the 17-18th of March, 1995 remained calm. In the center of Simferopol, near the Parliament of the Crimea, gathered dozens of activists of various pro-Russian organizations. They were mainly retirees and veterans of the Black Sea Fleet, not set up to make any active action.

The "President" of the ARC’s guard did not have any resistance either, having laid down their arms at the order of the Chief of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Crimea. From the Crimean “President’s” guard were also taken away their means of transport.

Sub-divisions of the Security Service and National Guard of Ukraine strengthened the security of the television center, radio center and other important facilities.

In such circumstances, on the 18th of March was held an extraordinary Session of the Supreme Council of the Crimea. The Speaker of the Crimean Parliament S.Tsekov made a speech, in which he called the decision of the Supreme Council of Ukraine unexpected and unprecedented. However, he called on deputies to "balanced actions", which would allow to preserve the "statehood of the Crimea."

The former "President" of the ARC Yu.Meshkov also took the floor and spoke on the question of the causes of the Parliamentary-Presidential crisis in the Peninsula. He acknowledged that that was due to the property contradictions between the two branches of power of the Peninsula. He also called “hysteria” the decisions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the Crimea, which, in his opinion, actually bordered on the "force actions.” “All this, according to Yu.Meshkov, was "the most difficult test for the statehood of the ARC."

Representatives of the Parliamentary faction "Russia", in their turn, called on the present to appeal to international organizations with a call to protect the powers of the Crimean Parliament. At this, it was no secret whom exactly the said fraction was going to appeal to.

Following the meeting, a number of statements were made, in which, in particular, was voiced readiness to cancel the moratorium on all-Crimean referendum on the status of the Crimean Peninsula. The Crimean Parliament also appealed to Russia with a request not to sign a basic Agreement between the Russian Federation and Ukraine without having considered the interests of the ARC. The Supreme Council of Ukraine was suggested to sign a wide-ranging Agreement with the Crimea.

***

Despite the efforts of pro-Russian forces of the Crimea, on the 19-20th of March, 1995 the situation in the Peninsula, on the whole, remained calm. If we do not take into account some small meetings (of no more than 10-20 people) in Simferopol, Sevastopol, and some other settlements of the ARC, we can say that the people of the Peninsula actually did not react to what was happening.

Moreover, their support of the decisions of the Supreme Council of Ukraine on the Crimean issue showed Ukrainian organizations of the Crimea, as well as the leadership of the organization of the Crimean Tatars "Kurultaj", its faction in the Parliament of the ARC included.

Nevertheless, the leadership of the Crimea did not give up active attempts to defend its interests in the ARC. At this, despite the temporary unity in their confrontation with Ukraine, Yu.Meshkov and S.Tsekov had significant contradictions in methods of achieving their goals.

For example, on the 20th of March, in an interview to the Crimean media, Yu.Meshkov once again appealed to residents of the Crimea, calling for a referendum on independence of the ARC as "the one and only possible solution for the main conflict between the Autonomous Republic and Ukraine."

In his turn, the Head of the Supreme Council of the Crimea S.Tsekov, taking a more balanced position, announced about his intentions to propose the Parliament of Ukraine to suspend actions of the decisions taken on the Crimea, and to continue bilateral negotiations on the full range "of the Ukrainian-Crimean problems." He also admitted the mistakes of previous decisions of the Parliament of the ARC regarding Ukraine. In particular, he said, it concerned the adoption by the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of the Crimea, of the Law on division of executive powers between the Autonomy and Ukraine, instead of signing an Agreement with Ukraine.

***

Such a development of events in the Crimea did not suit Moscow, which was trying to maximally aggravate the situation in the Peninsula. As an instrument of pressure on Ukraine, representatives of the Russian Federation went on using the questions of preparation and signing of a basic political Agreement between the two countries. In particular, this subject was once again touched upon by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian federation S.Krylov. Zatulin echoed him, calling on the Russian Federal Government to cancel the planned for the end of March visit to Kiev of the First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia O.Soskovets for discussing the terms of signing the above mentioned Agreement.

On the 20th of March, 1995 the Crimean issue was discussed at the meeting of the State Duma of Russia. According to the results of the meeting, it was decided to prepare a special Decree of the Russian Parliament on the political situation in the Crimea.

On the same day in the building of the Supreme Council of the Crimea, began its work a consular group of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. According to its Chief M.Glushkov, the main task of the group was acceleration and expansion of the process of granting Russian citizenship to residents of the Crimea. Representatives of the group were also sent to Sevastopol and other Crimean cities. According to statements of some Russian politicians, the results of the group's work could be considered by the Parliament of the ARC as the results of the referendum on the status of Crimea. In fact, apart from fulfilling their officially declared functions, the group coordinated actions of pro-Russian forces of the Crimea, maintaining their relationship with Moscow. Sensing this support, the latter went loose in their actions against Ukraine. Thus, the media, controlled by the above-mentioned forces, sharply intensified information campaign discrediting the Supreme Council of Ukraine’s decisions on the Crimean issue. There were also "proofs" of their "illegality" and the belief of their "optionality" in the Crimea. At the same time had been spread calls for mass protests in the Crimea and Sevastopol.

At this, like before, the "first violin" was played here by Yu.Meshkov, who categorically refused to implement the decisions of the Ukrainian Supreme Council on liquidation "of the presidency" in the Crimea, on the grounds that he was "elected by a majority of the population of the Peninsula." Moreover, the former "President" of the Crimea allowed himself to express direct threats to Ukraine, talking about “unpredictable development" of both, the Crimean and Russian-Ukrainian relations. In this context a particularly negative reaction of Yu.Meshkov was caused by the decision of the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine to initiate a criminal investigation against him.