Statement of the Supreme Soviet of TSSR

S T A T E M E N T

of the Supreme Soviet of Tatar Soviet Socialist Republic

We live in a difficult time, the time of changes and hopes. Community of peoples in our country united by thousands of vital links is now at the edge of danger. The situations in number regions show us that one wrong step of any republic, territory, region, city, political leader of every rank can result in irreparable consequences. And nobody knows how much time our descendants will need to put together splinters of our society, divided by political vanity and short-sighted individuals. Have we a chance to preserve our integrity? Yes we have! This chance is in hands of each citizen, each nation, each republic, it is in wisdom, sense of reality, flexibility of power bodies and their leaders. We have also means - the Treaty on the Commonwealth of Independent States. This Treaty serves as security of the renovation of the Union State, observation of human rights regardless of nationality, religion and other differences. The Treaty is a real path to social and economic well-being, civil peace and content. That is why we appeal to republics for the active assistance in drafting the Treaty and signing it as soon as possible. We express our great satisfaction with the results of the all-union referendum as at the referendum question "Do you support the creation of the new Union?" the multinational people of Tatarstan answered "YES". This is the will of our people and it is a supreme law for us.

Empowered by this expression of will, based on the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Tatar SSR, the Supreme Soviet reaffirms the readiness of the Republic of Tatarstan to sign the Union Treaty directly and independently. This is our contribution to the creation of a renovated Union where every sovereign republic will be a single part without which it will be impossible to build our future common society. Such sacred and honest intentions are also the basis of our aspiration to sign the Treaty between Tatarstan and the Russian Federation which will embody the democratic principles of self-determination, equality, cooperation and mutual assistance. Our stand is clear and constructive. The President of the USSR, the Federation Council and the leadership of the RSFSR were informed about our stand. We hope for just assessment of this stand and for the support of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the RSFSR and all fraternal republics.

Kazan, April 16, 1991