The Collapse Of The Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev: Better If The Armed And Nuclear Forces Under One Command

Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev flanked by two bodyguards. (Wikimedia Commons/duma.gov.ru)

JAKARTA - The first president of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, believes the Soviet government has underestimated the scale of inter-ethnic problems in the Soviet Union and the need for state reform.

The charismatic leader believes the country can survive even after the August 1991 government coup attempt as a United Sovereign State.

"Initially we underestimated the scale and depth of the problems in inter-ethnic relations and relations between the center and the republic. We took too long to realize that Unity needed renewal," Gorbachev told TASS as quoted Dec. 25.

He explained that the aim of the Soviet authorities was "to preserve unions and to create a real federation with real sovereignty for the republic, delegating part of their powers to the center."

"Security, defence, transport links, the single currency, and human rights remain in the hands of the trade union authorities under the draft trade union agreement. I believe it is a viable option and most republics will support it. However, a coup derails this possibility. ," said Gorbachev.

"Even after the coup, when the republics proclaimed their independence and the power of the Soviet president was seriously weakened, I remained convinced that unity could be maintained. I proposed the Union of Sovereign States," he continued.

He further explained, such a union would become a confederation with the constituent republics enjoying even wider powers.

"For one, they will become members of the United Nations. Meanwhile, the Union will retain its seat on the Security Council. The armed forces and nuclear weapons will remain under one command. I believe this will be much better than what followed the collapse of the Soviet Union in reality, ' said Gorbachev.

To note, Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as president of the Soviet Union on December 25, 1991. The Soviet Union dissolved on the same day.