|
- ON DECEMBER 8, THE DUMA PASSED LAWS ON RUSSIA'S NATIONAL ANTHEM,
FLAG, COAT OF ARMS, AND SYMBOLS FOR THE ARMED FORCES AND THE NAVY.
THERE WAS LITTLE DEBATE IN THE DUMA, AND ALL THE LAWS PASSED VERY
EASILY. HOWEVER, THIS GRAND EVENT IS UNLIKELY TO IMPROVE RUSSIA'S
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SITUATION.
State symbols have been adopted, but it doesn't feel like a celebration.On
December 8, the Duma passed laws on Russia's national anthem,
flag, coat of arms, and symbols for the Armed Forces and the Navy.
The vote came exactly nine years after Yeltsin and the leaders
of Ukraine and Belarus had signed an agreement dissolving the
Soviet Union. Most deputies came to the Duma that day wearing
special clothes: white shirts, smart expensive neckties, and formal
suits. Only members of the Union of Right-Wing Forces, Yabloko,
and the most radical Communists dressed casually. Nikolai Gubenko,
chairman of the Duma Committee for Culture and Tourism, tried
to calm down the radicals, saying that the Duma's adoption of
these state symbols would mark a step towards reconciliation for
Russian society. All three state symbols were criticized by some
deputies. The Communists even demanded that all TV channels, including
private ones, broadcast the new national anthem twice a day, at
6 a.m. and at midnight. However, this proposal was rejected. The
debate surrounding the national coat of arms was even more interesting.
Some deputies questioned the direction in which St. George is
depicted as riding. Valery Grebennikov, a member of the Fatherland-All
Russia faction, found an answer to this question: "The horseman
is riding left." Then some deputies wondered in which direction
the heads of the horse and dragon should be turned. Tikhonov noted,
"The three crowns on the coat of arms originally stood for
Russia, Poland, and Finland. Does this mean that we will reclaim
Poland and Finland?" The law on the national coat of arms
says that it should be displayed on all government buildings.
This issue concerned many Duma deputies. Everyone expected turmoil
during floor speeches by leaders of Duma factions. However, they
did not make any speeches. The lower house decided to go directly
to a vote. The Soviet national anthem was supported by all the
Communists, the Agrarians, People's Deputy, Russian Regions, the
Liberal Democratic Party, and Fatherland-All Russia. Only two
members of Unity voted against this music for the anthem. On the
other hand, two members of the Union of Right-Wing Forces voted
in favour. All Yabloko members either voted against the anthem
or abstained. Two independent deputies, Vladimir Ryzhkov and Nikolai
Gonchar also voted against the Soviet music for the anthem. Only
nine members of the Communist faction voted against the tricolour
flag and double-headed eagle, including the notorious labour deputy
Vasily Shandybin. The Communist leaders, Zyuganov and Seleznev,
supported the new state symbols. After the meeting, deputies left
the assembly hall hastily. Only Vladimir Zhirinovsky could not
restrain himself. He rushed to the podium to express his feelings
to his colleagues: "We've passed the symbols, but it doesn't
feel like a celebration. Maybe those who have run off for a private
drink have this feeling?"
See also:
 Grigory
Yavlinsky: approval of the music by Aleksandrov as the hymn for
Russia represents a step towards a split in society
Yabloko
and the SPS oppose restoration of the symbols of the Soviet Union
Yabloko
proposes the march “Farewell of a Slavic woman” as a new hymn
of Russia
|
