The coup of August 19, 1991. The course of deepening democratic changes in the USSR, conducted by M. Gorbachev, did not satisfy some high-ranking state officials. They were more attracted to the previous authoritarian-command system: under the new conditions, they could simply be sidelined with their conservative views, i.e., lose power. Therefore, they waited for a convenient opportunity to restore the influence of the Communist Party, eliminate the democratic forces and parties gaining authority and influence, and block attempts by the union republics to gain independence. Such a moment arose.
In early August 1991, the President of the USSR, M. Gorbachev, was on vacation in Crimea. A group of Kremlin leaders, his ideological opponents, decided to take advantage of the President's absence. They secretly prepared and on August 19, 1991, seized power by force. This act was called the "communist coup" by the people. However, the State Committee for the State of Emergency (GKChP) created by the coup leaders managed to last only 3-4 days: the people did not follow them. The organizers of the coup were arrested and faced punishment.
Resistance to the coup leaders. The leaders of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan supported the coup. In their statement to the people on August 21, they said: "The Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan announces its support for the efforts of the Soviet leadership to lead the country out of the crisis and the extraordinary measures being taken for this purpose. We agree with the assessment of the situation in the country given by the GKChP in their address to the people."
But the president, the head of parliament, and the democratic forces condemned the actions of the GKChP. The Speaker of Parliament, Medetkan Sherimkulov, was one of the first to speak out against the communist coup. President Askar Akayev, who had participated in the festive celebrations for the 180th anniversary of the birth of Kurmanjan Datka the day before, learned about the coup in the morning, through radio reports on his way from his residence to work. It became clear to him: this was a coup d'état. He immediately addressed the people, explaining the essence of what had happened. The president then sent a message to the UN requesting support for the young state striving for independence and democracy: "We are a small state, we have no army, we are ready to defend our sovereignty and freedom, but we have no way to resist the army, tanks, and airplanes. You cannot calmly watch as our freedom is trampled and the legally elected government is prepared to be overthrown."
The firm position of the head of state, Askar Akayev, was met with approval from the democratic forces of Kyrgyzstan. They expressed their readiness to support the achievements of democracy. The media also called on the population to defend their freedom, promptly reporting details of the ongoing events. On August 23, a large rally took place, dedicated to the victory over the coup leaders. The August coup became a serious test for the democratic forces of Kyrgyzstan and showed the presence of forces in society unwilling to part with the past.
The world community was convinced that Kyrgyzstan was turning into an island of democracy. Kyrgyzstan is an independent state. On August 31, 1991, the Supreme Council of the republic adopted a crucial act for the country and its people — the Declaration of State Independence of the Kyrgyz Republic.
In it, Kyrgyzstan officially proclaimed to the whole world:
1. The Kyrgyz Republic is declared an independent, sovereign state.
2. The territory of the Kyrgyz Republic is indivisible and unified, and the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic is in effect on it.
3. The Kyrgyz Republic declares its support for universally recognized principles of international law, is guided by the principles of friendship and cooperation between peoples; it will steadfastly adhere to its obligations and will not allow confrontation in interethnic relations...
4. The Kyrgyz Republic calls on the parliaments of the union republics and the countries of the world community to recognize the independence of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Thus, Kyrgyzstan gained independence, for which many generations of Kyrgyz ancestors fought. August 31, the day of the proclamation of sovereignty, was declared a national holiday of Kyrgyzstan - Independence Day.
The attempt by the communists to preserve the previous administrative-command system failed. History took its course: the leaders of three Slavic republics (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus) signed an agreement on the dissolution of the USSR in the Bialowieza Forest on December 8, 1991. After this agreement, President M. Gorbachev was forced to resign. The great power known as the USSR ceased to exist. The former union republics became independent states.
