Defense Minister Marshal Yazov, wearing a dark green military uniform, personally escorted Vice President Yanayev to the studio.
Also accompanying him were KGB chief Kryuchkov, Prime Minister Pavlov, Puger, and Bakolov, as well as the President of the Peasants' Union Taro Dubtsev, and the President of the Union of State-Owned Enterprises Yakov.
The director of the TV station stood respectfully aside, and several staff members arranged the podium, adjusted the sound and picture, and after confirming that everything was correct, Yanayev was invited to the stage.
Yanayev stood on the high platform and cleared his throat.
As soon as the big bell on the Kremlin clock tower struck six times, CCTV and China Central Radio began to broadcast the TASS headlines at the same time.
"Dear citizens, I am Vice President Yanayev. Now, I have urgent and sad news to inform you. Our beloved President Gorbachev will be unable to continue from today due to health reasons.
To perform the duties of the President, in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution, I will temporarily act as President and perform my duties."
"In addition, in order to deal with this special situation, we decided to temporarily establish an emergency committee. There are eight members in the committee. The list is as follows: Acting President Yanayev, Defense Minister Marshal Yazov..."
Yanayev's melodious voice came from the TV station and radio, but at this time, the people of Moscow were buying high-priced necessities. After hearing Yanayev's order, they were very surprised, but their reaction was unusually cold.
They were still minding their own business. Regarding the temporary lockdown of Moscow and the fact that the signal was blocked, their reaction was very indifferent.
The crowds of people were concentrated in the necessities stores in several large shopping malls. People lined up to buy expensive necessities, and they also resented the Moscow International Commercial Bank, which is closely related to the necessities market.
It is they who are driving up prices at this time, making it difficult for the country to make money, making people's lives even more miserable.
Two hours passed, and at eight o'clock in the morning, all the streets in Moscow were in order, and there was no fluctuation or panic caused by the presidential incident.
The cold response from the people also embarrassed Yanayev. He expected to gain the understanding and support of a large number of people through this speech, thereby officially taking over the banner of power from Gorbachev.
However, the public does not seem to care about the changes in the political arena.
The pressure of life has made it difficult for them to devote their energy to paying attention to these things.
At the same time, Marshal Yazov, a member of the Emergency Committee and Minister of Defense, convened a meeting of commanders of various military districts in the Kremlin. The two leaders of the armed forces faction and the army faction also attended the meeting as scheduled. Yazov asked the army to safeguard the country according to the situation.
order and strengthen the security of military facilities. As for other special situations, they will be handled as appropriate based on information from television and radio.
On the other side, Yanayev, who had just settled in the Kremlin, immediately summoned Pavlov, and Baklanov jointly signed the "Leader's Statement", announcing that it would be implemented in certain places in Mao Xiong from 4:00 on August 19, 1991.
A 6-month state of emergency.
At the same time, Yanayev sent a letter to the heads of state and government of various countries and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, reiterating that the Woolly Bear Association will abide by its previous "international obligations" and hopes to "get the due understanding from the people and governments of all countries and the United Nations."
Before receiving any reply from various countries, Yanayev struck while the iron was hot and issued the "Message to All People" that he had already prepared.
As a declaration of the establishment of the emergency committee and the official explanation for the incident.
"The reform policy initiated and started by Gorbachev was originally intended as a means to ensure the rapid development of the country and democratize social life, but it reached a dead end for various reasons. Unbelief, apathy and despair replaced the initial enthusiasm and
Hope. Regimes at all levels have lost the trust of residents.”
"The increasing instability of the country's political and economic situation undermines our standing in the world...Yesterday, people abroad felt that they were influential, respected and decent citizens. Today, he often feels
When he thinks he is a second-class foreigner, people often look at him with contempt or pity."
"We call on all citizens to be aware of their obligations to their country and to strongly support the emergency committee and its efforts to bring the country out of the crisis."
At 11 noon, the Emergency Committee issued Decision No. 1, requiring government agencies at all levels to "ensure the unconditional implementation of the state of emergency", immediately disband illegal institutions and armed forces, prohibit marches, assemblies, demonstrations and strikes, etc., and proposed to normalize the economic situation
some measures.
In response to uncontrollable variables that may occur, Yanayev has already formulated a complete set of response strategies. Under his instructions, Moscow has always been in a relatively calm state.
After Yanayev returned to the presidential office, he immediately called Vinogradov and asked him to lower the prices of high necessities and ensure the stability and security of Moscow during these six days.
After receiving the call, Vinogradov agreed repeatedly. As soon as he hung up, he angrily threw the phone to the ground and overturned everything on the desk.
His furious expression frightened the female secretary beside him.
"If you lower the price of necessities now, you will force me to do business at a loss!" Vinogradov's eyes were gloomy. These politicians were indeed not good people. When asking for help, they all pretended to be like their grandchildren. Now they don't need him.
He was so ruthless and cold-blooded.
But he had no choice. To disobey Yanayev's decree at this time was to seek death.
...
Russian parliament building.
After seeing Yanayev's declaration in the early morning and hearing the "Message to All the People", Yelkin could no longer sit still. He knew that the other party's next step was to send troops to hunt down him who had not yet left Moscow.
As long as they catch themselves, the conservatives will have a complete victory in this incident.
He decisively established a resistance headquarters in the parliament building, and then asked Vladimir to contact international journalists who had good relations with the radicals to hold an international press conference.
There is no other way around this.
He can't leave Moscow now. Instead of really running out in despair, he might as well hold a press conference openly and fight Yanayev directly in the ring. After the sound is made, Yanayev will have to consider whether he really wants to do something to him.
Lower social impact and international impact.
After all, regardless of whether Gorbachev is really seriously ill, as the country's two top leaders, they have no reason to kill each other.
11:46 p.m.
Many international journalists from home and abroad gathered in the Russian Parliament Building. They were also blocked in Moscow and could not leave. They were very interested in Yelkin's sudden summons. They all waited eagerly, feeling that there would be some exciting information to dig out.