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N0KFQ > TODAY 21.12.14 15:54l 38 Lines 1655 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 42683_N0KFQ
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Subj: Today in History - Dec 21
Path: IZ3LSV<IK6ZDE<F1OYP<ZL2BAU<N9PMO<KQ0I<N0KFQ
Sent: 141221/1447Z 42683@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.4.62
Dec 21, 1991:
Soviet republics proclaim the Commonwealth of Independent States
In a final step signifying the dismemberment of the Soviet Union,
11 of the 12 Soviet republics declare that they are forming the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Just a few days later,
Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev announced he was stepping down
from his position. The Soviet Union ceased to exist.
The 11 republics-Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan-signed an agreement
creating the CIS. Only Georgia, embroiled in a civil war,
abstained from participation. Exactly what they created was open
to debate. The CIS was not a new nation, but merely an "alliance"
between independent states. The political meaning of the alliance
was hazy. The independent states each took over the former Soviet
government facilities within their borders. The military side of
the CIS was even more confusing. They agreed to sustain any arms
agreements signed by the former Soviet Union. The former Soviet
defense minister would retain control over the military until the
CIS could agree on what to do with the nuclear weapons and
conventional forces within their borders. Complicating the
situation were terrific economic problems and outbreaks of ethnic
violence in the new republics.
For Gorbachev, the announcement was the final signal that his
power_and the existence of the Soviet Union_was at an end. Four
days later, on Christmas Day, he announced his resignation.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
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