The Republics and the Union Treaty

President Bush’s Ukraine visit carries special significance for Soviet politics, coming as it does during crucial, continuing negotiations over the Union Treaty, President Mikhail S. Gorbachev’s blueprint for a more stable federation. The treaty, Gorbachev has insisted, will resolve pervasive battles for control among the various levels of Soviet government.

But not all the republics have totally embraced his plan.

-The Ukraine. The Soviet Union’s breadbasket state, a republic the size of France, it has become the linchpin in the fate of Gorbachev’s federation. Its Parliament has put off discussing the Union Treaty until fall, although its leaders have given the pact support. But Ukrainian elections are planned then and leader Leonid Kravchuk will be in a crowd-pleasing mood when campaigning.

Eight republics have supported the treaty:

Russia

Byelorussia

Azerbaijan

Kazakhstan

Uzbekistan

Turkmenia

Tadzhikstan

Kirghizia.

Six republics have refused:

-Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The three Baltic states were absorbed into the Soviet Union under a 1940 Soviet-Nazi pact, never formally recognized by the United States. They began their campaign to break away from the Soviet Union in the 1980s and have been adamant about seeking independence, although Moscow has refused to discuss secession.

-Moldova. This republic is deeply split by region and by ethnic groups (Romanians and Russian-speaking minorities) on whether to remain in the Soviet Union. Some argue for union with Romania.

-Georgia. This sunny republic, ruled by former dissident Zviad Gamsakhurdia, has been embittered by the killing of 19 peaceful demonstrators by Soviet troops in Tbilsi in April, 1989. Gamsakhurdia envisions an independent Georgia with its own army and Black Sea navy.

-Armenia. This republic plans a referendum in September on whether to stay with the union. Its president, Levon Ter-Petrosyan, has reserved judgment on the treaty.