DECLARATION OF THE NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE OF SIBERIA
Having assumed the full authority in the country after expulsion of the Bolshevik usurpers, the Provisional Siberian Government believes it necessary along with other most essential tasks to bring Siberia out of the uncertain position, in which it has happened to be after the breakup of the Siberian Regional Duma by the Bolsheviks and their running supremacy in European Russia.
The Provisional Siberian Government clearly understands that any delay in resolution of the Siberian state essence might have particularly disastrous consequences, resulting from the existing international situation, but despite these impediments, the Provisional Siberian Government would have not been rightful to undertake the heavy burden and determine the future fate of the Motherland, if it had not had an authoritative instruction issued by the Siberian Regional Duma in respect thereof expressed in its declaration as of January 27, 1918.
Relying on this declaration only, in which the Siberian Regional Duma was perfectly clear to provide Siberia with the broadest state rights, the Provisional Siberian Government considers it conceivable to assume the right to resolve the given question, without waiting for its new convention in view of the acute situation.
Based on the above-said and given that there is no Russian nationhood as such, for the larger part of Russia has actually been occupied by the Central Powers, while the other is taken by the people’s rule usurpers – Bolsheviks, the Provisional Siberian Government solemnly gives public notice that from now on the Provisional Siberian Government along with the Siberian Regional Duma shall solely be responsible for the fate of Siberia, declaring the absolute freedom of independent relations with the foreign governments, and announce that henceforth no other power aside from the Provisional Siberian Government may act in the territory of Siberia or commits on its behalf.
In addition, the Provisional Siberian Government shall worship its sacred duty to announce that the convention of the All-Siberian Constituent Assembly it shall transfer its powers to shall be its steadfast intention, the soonest actualization of which the Provisional Siberian Government shall strive for.
However, the Provisional Siberian Government thinks it exceptionally urgent to no less solemnly announce that the Provisional Siberian Government shall not consider Siberia forever severed from those lands, which jointly constituted the Russian Empire, and presumes that it shall take every effort to restore the Russian nationhood.
The Provisional Siberian Government believes that upon the fortunate achievement of this lofty goal, the nature of further relations between Siberia and European Russia shall be determined by the All-Siberian and All-Russian Constituent Assemblies. In view of these considerations, the Provisional Siberian Government shall commence its important work while firm and reassured that all the nationally thinking elements of the country will express their support for the Provisional Siberian Government on this path.
Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs
