§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the statement in Baroness Chalker of Wallasey's report on the Foreign Affairs Council of 138WA 4th–5th October 1993 (Lords Hansard,19th October 1993, col. WA 42) that "The situation in Russia was also discussed, and the Council issued a statement of support for President Yeltsin" indicated the Council's support for the abolition of the lawful parliament and lawful regional assemblies for the suspension of the lawful constitutional court, for the armed attack on the parliament house, for the closing down of opposition newspapers and for the banning of individual journalists and editors; and if so why they gave approval to these actions.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe statement issued by the Foreign Affairs Council following the armed insurrection in Moscow reiterated the support of the Council and its member states for President Yeltsin and for the process of reform. It stressed the importance of an early restoration of peaceful and democratic order and the continuation of democratic reform through free elections allowing the Russian people to decide on their future. This is what President Yeltsin is committed to doing through the elections on 12th December.