Russia aceuses U.S. of coup role

Press, 26 February 1986, Page 10

Russia aceuses U.S. of coup role

NZPA-AP Moscow The Soviet news media reported yesterday that Mr Marcos had declared a state of emergency and accused the United States of exerting political and military pressure on his Government.

A report in the Soviet Communist Party daily, "Pravda,” said “observers” in the Philippines had said a coup was planned against Mr Marcos and that United States special services may have participated in those plans. “Pravda” reported from Manila that a provisional Government had been declared because the rebelling forces believed Mr Marcos had cheated Corazon Aquino out of victory in the Presidential elections earlier this month.

"According to reports from the Philippines, the situation there remains complex and tense,” the official news agency, Tass, said.

"Former national Defence Minister, Juan Ponce Enrile, and deposed Deputy Chief of the General Steiff, Fidel Ramos, say that they have received assurances of support from the commanders of 13 military districts of the country.” “Pravda” said, “both well-known Philippine military leaders declared their break with Marcos and said they considered the elections of February 7 had been conducted in circumstances of fraud and misuse of authority”. “That is why they do not accept the authority of Marcos as President of the country.” .

Tass reported the rebels’ assertions that a provisional Government had been formed and that a Marcos spokesman said the President remained in control of the country. The “Pravda” report said unnamed observers held the "unanimous opinion” that a coup was

planned against Mr Marcos, “and they don’t exclude that it was prepared with participation of UJS. special services.” “Pravda” said “the Marcos Administration suffered intense pressure from Washington, which used the most evident and open political interference” before, during and after the Presidential election.

The Philippines Government “also suffered from military pressure,” “Pravda" said, concluding its report by saying that “during these days the Philippines are literally under the barrel of the guns of the U.S. 7th > Fleet.”

Radio Moscow issued a similar report during its morning broadcasts, detailing the ships and other military forces in the western Pacific. The broadcast said the situa- f tion in the Philippines had become “acute.”