‘KGB Wiretap’ Soviet Conservative Coup d’État 10 Years ago

August 19 marks 10 years since the fall of the Soviet Union after the conservative faction`s coup d’état. Although a good amount of time has passed, the actual causes behind the coup remain unclear and the testimonies given by witnesses at the time conflict.

Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev brought up `KGB`s wiretap recordings` as the reason for the coup at the August 19 L.A. Times press conference. He claimed, ``In July 1991, Russian President Boris Yeltsin`s secret talks with the head of the KGB Vladimir Kreuchikov, Soviet National Defense Minister Dimitry Yajopf and other conservative officials were recorded by the KGB.`` Kreuchikov and others felt the crisis coming and planned a coup d’état, he explained.

However, a central figure in the coup and Vice President at the time, Genadi Yanayepf announced at a Russian press conference on August 18 that ``Former President Gorbachev agreed couple months before the coup to publicly announcing a national emergency.`` He claims that the coup was an inevitable outcome of Gorbachev`s tacit approval.

The conservatives placed Gorbachev under house arrest on August 19, 1991, calling a national emergency and mobilizing the troops. Yet, with the people resisting by throwing their bodies in front of tanks and President Yeltsin`s opposition, the coup ended in failure after four days. Afterwards, President Gorbachev lost his power, the various republics in the Soviet Union speedily became independent nations, and the Soviet Union finally fell apart.

On August 19, a ceremony commemorating the people`s prevention of the coup took place in front of the cabinet building. Meanwhile, supporters of the coup held their own gathering at Pushkin Square and mourned over the failed coup and crumbling of the Soviet Union.

kimkihy@donga.com