ABSTRACT
The Western powers did not retreat from their staunch defense of Yeltsin, even when he openly flouted the most basic of democratic principles. The cynical intervention of the Western powers in the March and October 1993 "coups" prompted one Russian journalist to condemn Yeltsin for having "secured his masters' support" by brutal and undemocratic means. According to many analysts this disillusionment, coupled with the disastrous economy and persistent pressure from the opposition, prompted Russia's leaders to institute the aforementioned "assertive" foreign policy in 1993. Until late 1993 official Russian policy—which was widely endorsed by specialists—continued on its pro-NATO path. Meanwhile, on June 11 France, the last holdout within NATO on the use of force in the former Yugoslavia, finally gave its consent at the Athens NATO meeting to use NATO air power to protect UN forces and Muslim safe areas in Bosnia.
