[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 24, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         THE CRIMEAN SITUATION

 Mr. DeCONCINI. Mr. President, one of the most potentially 
dangerous hot spots in the former Soviet Union is the Crimean 
Peninsula, located in Ukraine. Recently, the situation there has become 
increasingly tense, as the Crimean Parliament voted on May 20 to revert 
to a 1992 constitution that Ukrainian authorities view as the first 
step towards secession. The Ukrainian Parliament responded with an 
ultimatum giving Crimean Parliament 10 days to reverse its decision and 
bring its laws into line with Ukraine's. The Ukrainian Government is 
clearly and understandably alarmed at the implications of Crimea's 
decision with respect to Ukraine's territorial integrity.
  Crimea's 2.7 million population is about two-thirds ethnic Russian, 
one-quarter Ukrainian, and 10 percent Crimean Tatar. In 1991, the 
population of Crimea voted, albeit narrowly, for Ukrainian 
independence. Since that time, the economic situation in Ukraine has 
deteriorated, fueling tendencies in Crimea toward integration with 
Russia. Even the Ukrainian Government's granting of broad autonomy to 
Crimea in 1992 apparently has not dampened Crimean moves toward 
secession. In March 1994 elections, Crimean voters overwhelmingly 
approved proposals in a nonbinding plebiscite for greater autonomy and 
closer ties with Russia.
  Though Russia's Government has refrained from openly questioning 
Ukraine's territorial integrity, the question of jurisdiction over 
Crimea is an obvious flashpoint between Ukraine and Russia. The issue 
is complicated by the dispute over the Black Sea fleet, based in the 
Crimean port of Sevastopol. Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on 
dividing the fleet collapsed last month, with Russia insisting on 
retaining full control over Sevastopol.
  Both Ukraine and Russia insist that they want to avoid conflict; 
Ukraine's Foreign Minister has stated Kiev will not use force unless 
provoked. Russia's Government has pledged not to interfere, although 
there are troubling reports about Russian chauvinists asserting their 
readiness to go fight in Crimea and, most recently, Ukrainian President 
Kravchuk has accused Russian officials of making statements inflaming 
the situation. The Ukrainian and Russian Prime Ministers are meeting to 
try to diffuse the situation. They have been joined by the Crimean 
Deputy Prime Minister. Parliamentarians from Crimea are also in Kiev to 
discuss the situation. Both the United States and Germany have given 
their support to Ukraine, noting that Ukraine is acting in a manner 
consistent with CSCE principles.
  Let us hope that efforts continue to reduce tensions and find a 
solution to the problem in a manner consistent with the principles of 
the Helsinki Final Act. The Crimean Parliament should think through the 
implications of its decision and work with the authorities in Kiev to 
preserve stability in the region. Crimea already enjoys significant 
autonomy. At this tense moment, Moscow should make clear to Crimea that 
Russia will not allow itself to be manipulated into a dangerous 
showdown with Ukraine.
  Mr. President, the violation of independent Ukraine's territorial 
integrity could have unpredictable and far-reaching consequences. I 
urge all parties to actively avoid confrontation, to take a responsible 
and conciliatory approach, and to act in a manner consistent with CSCE 
principles.

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