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PEOPLE IN CRIMEA take to the polls today for a referendum on breaking away from Ukraine to join Russia that has precipitated a Cold War-style security crisis on Europe’s eastern frontier.
Ukraine’s new government and most of the international community except Russia have said they will not recognise a result expected to be overwhelmingly in favour of immediate secession.
Some 1.5 million people are called to vote on the diamond-shaped Black Sea peninsula, which is mostly inhabited by ethnic Russians and has been seized by Russian forces over the past month.
AFP reporters saw voters cast their ballots in the regional capital Simferopol, the naval base of Sevastopol and Bakhchysaray — the hub of the Muslim Tatar community, which is urging a boycott.
“We have waited years for this moment,” said 71-year-old Ivan Konstantinovich, who raised his hands in victory after voting in Bakhchysaray.
“Everyone will vote for Russia,” he said.
Crimea says foreign observers are monitoring the vote but the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is not because it needs to be invited by national governments.
OSCE military observers aiming to defuse tensions have been prevented from entering Crimea, which is at the centre of the worst East-West confrontation since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
Voters can choose to become part of Russia or retain more autonomy but stay in Ukraine — a vote for the status quo is not an option.
Preliminary results are expected soon after polls close at 1800 GMT and Russian flags are already being handed out in the streets in Sevastopol.
Preparations to become part of the Russian Federation — a process that could take months — are to begin this week if the people vote for Moscow.
Rehearsals for the big day have included a show by Cossack troops and the slogan “We are in Russia!” beamed onto the government building in Simferopol, leaving no doubt as to the expected outcome.
Pro-Russia authorities and Moscow say the referendum is an example of self-determination like Kosovo’s decision to leave Serbia but Washington says the vote cannot be democratic because it is taking place “under the barrel of a gun”.
Ukraine’s new government fears the referendum is part of a plan by Moscow to stir up a wider rebellion across mostly Russian-speaking parts of eastern Ukraine to justify an invasion.
Three activists have been killed in the eastern cities of Donetsk and Kharkiv in the run-up to the Crimea referendum and supporters of Russia have called for similar separatist polls to be held in other Ukrainian regions.
‘Extremely worrying’
Russian troops and pro-Moscow militias took control of the strategic peninsula soon after the Kremlin-backed Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych fled Kiev last month in the wake of three months of deadly protests against his rule.
Russian lawmakers have also given the go-ahead for President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine when he wants, citing the need to defend ethnic Russians against ultra-nationalist radicals.
Ukrainian military bases in the region — also home to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet since the 18th century — are surrounded by militias but there has been no armed Russia-Ukraine armed confrontation so far.
There have however been several attacks on journalists and pro-unity activists condemned by Amnesty International as “extremely worrying”.
It is also unclear what will happen to the thousands of Ukrainian military personnel currently based in Crimea after the secession vote.
Ukraine is on full combat alert and on the eve of the vote it accused Russian forces of seizing a village just outside Crimea, saying: “Ukraine reserves the right to use all necessary measures to stop the military invasion by Russia”.
‘Crimean Spring’
The diplomatic wrangling and brinksmanship over Crimea have been startling, including a confrontation at the United Nations Security Council in which Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk asked: “Do the Russians want war?”
Successive rounds of negotiations between US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have failed and Kerry appeared to break diplomatic protocol by not showing up for planned talks in Moscow.
While the West has been powerless to stop annexation, Russia faces a painful round of sanctions against top officials that Washington and EU nations are set to unveil on Monday and it could be ostracised or even ejected from the Group of Eight leading world powers.
Local authorities are calling this a “Crimean Spring” but many Crimeans are simply confused and concerned about a possible legal vacuum and economic turmoil in their region.
“Whether we stay with Ukraine or go with Russia, it’s understandable that people are concerned,” said Aleksiy Yefremov, head of the student association “New People of Crimea”.
“We do not have enough information. Do we listen to officials in Kiev or to the local authorities?”
One immediate concern is about the availability of cash and there have been long queues outside banks with Crimeans rushing to take their money out.
Crimea would not automatically join Russia after the vote and the local pro-Moscow prime minister Sergiy Aksyonov said it could take “a year maximum”.
Ukraine’s government has said Crimea cannot survive on its own since it depends on electricity, energy and water supplies from the mainland.
“We are ready to sit without electricity, without water… We’re afraid of nothing and we want a historic choice,” Aksyonov said earlier.
Aksyonov has assured residents that the region can manage on its own with assistance only from Moscow.
Pics: AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda
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They have no option! It’s vote to join Russia or vote to become an independent State, whose parliamentarians already voted to join Russia. THERE IS NO ‘NO’ OPTION. IT’S A COMPLETE FARCE, NO-ONE IS VOTING ON ANYTHING.
Just like some of our own referendum . Nice, Lisbon. Come to mind. Let’s not be Hippocrates
Hippocrates? For transferring Hippo’s in? What does the zoo think about all this?
Those were dark days when the EU had troops surrounding our government buildings. I remember the OSCE being denied entry at Dublin port by Belgian thugs and the international condemnation.
‘heads I win and tails you lose’
Tony, stop spreading lies:
The options are:
Choice 1: Are you in favor of the reunification of Crimea with Russia as a part of the Russian Federation?
Choice 2: Are you in favor of restoring the 1992 Constitution and the status of Crimea as a part of Ukraine?
@angryzes
Yes and under the 1992 Constitution, the Parliament, which has already voted to join Russia has the power…
March 06
“Crimean MPs voted on Thursday for the region to “to become part of the Russian Federation as its constituent territory,” says the text of the regional parliament’s statement.
78 MPs said yes to Crimea joining Russia, while 8 abstained from voting…
…The parliament has also made a decision to ask the Russian leadership to “launch the procedure of Crimea becoming part of Russia.” ”
It is as many have said, vote Yes to join Russia, vote No to leave Ukraine (and join Russia).
Which part “as a part of Ukraine” in the second option you do not understand?
Neverthless, the declaration explicitly states, that independence will take effect only if the “reunification with Russia” choice gets the most votes (art. 1); this independence will pave way for Crimea’s application for membership in the Russian Federation (via inter-state treaty (art. 3).
In fact this number of red thumbs is amazing.
You, maybe even join these nice Ukrainian school children:
They say:
One nation – one Ukraine!
Who is not jumping is Moskal!(derogatory for Russian).
Put these Russians to the sword (knife), etc.
People of Crime do not feel that it is the country the want to live in.
@angryzes
Ah yes, and all the heavily armed masked men with Russian equipment, driving Russian vehicles are all just ‘local defence militia’. Why would anyone in their right mind trust Putin to respect an international treaty with regards Ukraine now?! He’s already put troops BEYOND Crimea, seizing a gas field IN UKRAINE, not Crimea.
“According to AP, the seizure of the village (Strilkove, six miles beyond the border of Crimea), which involved troops, helicopter gunships and armoured vehicles, is the first move outside the peninsula by the Kremlin’s forces. There were no reports of gunshots fired in the village.”
Even if you think Crimea should have the right to secede, explain away why if it’s just a true Democratic decision, there are already Russian armed forces IN UKRAINE.
Would love to join them. Russia invades a sovereign territory. And you expect the Ukrainian children to sing with joy?? Idiot… Maybe the Chinese should invade Russia and se what their kids sing.
Hippocrates? The father of medicine? Yeah, let’s not be him.
There was no Russian army crossing Ukraine border, these people there are not Russian military. Even CNN never said that these troops are Russian Army. Because they are not. What if I will tell you that these guys are members of a private security company ( like Blackwater in US ) and that they all have Ukrainian citizenship? I am not saying that it is true – just one of the variants.
@Jay, please join them. Next time you will jump with them against Jewish people, polish people, etc. do not forget to take that black and red flag of UPA and remember heroes who massacred 80000 polish nationals in Volyn (or whatever English name of this place is). I will prefer to stay idiot, as my grandfathers who fought against fascists during ww2.
Ha ha!!!!
“No Russian troops!”
As your perma-president said, ‘those aren’t Russian troops, they are just locals driving their shop-bought tanks’!!
“That isn’t a mine field we planted, they are anti-personnel tulips!”
@Jeremy These are my people, Russians, they cry for help there. You think you will convince me that, let’s say Germans or even French have any moral rights to tell Russians how to protect Russians? How many shots were fired so far, how many Ukrainian soldiers were killed?
Jeremy,
What weapons have the Egyptian Army, Syrian Al Qaida etc being fighting with in their respective war-zones … Hint … US made :)
If the Russians want to arm the Crimeans to the teeth, why would you object to this? Not one person has died in Crimea since the soldiers took to the streets. Meanwhile in the rest of Ukraine, law and order is falling apart with murders, riots etc .
What do you really want to see happen in Ukraine?
Do you support the Nazi modelled party holding 6 minstries there? Did you support their first effort at banning Russian as an officially recognized language?
Did you support the deal with the IMF that will see all of Ukraines assets being sold off for a fraction of their worth to US and EU companies?
“No Russian troops”.
Priceless.
I’m not getting involved Cal.
You got you ass handed to you plenty yesterday!
Wouldn’t be fair to take you to school again.
Ah Jeremy the anti tulip US apologist. Is it tulips and onions the Americans are landing on innocent civilians in the many countries that the US have invaded? Or maybe they are contractors with guns that occasionally kill several civilians. Pure hypocrisy as usual Jeremy. Tea bagger
I said “no Russian army”. Close to 70% of Crimean population are ethnic Russians.
“There are no Russian forces crossing the Ukrainian border”. Are you for real!!! Even those armed and uniformed men have admitted that they are Russian troops on video. Even the most fanatical Russiaphiles are admiting that they are Russian troops on the streets and roads of Crimea.
Brilliant Denisj
No Angeryzes. They are Ukrainian citizens. If they choose to become Russian citizens then they choose to relinquish their right to vote on Ukrainian issues. Now as Crimea is a Sovereign part of Ukraine anyone currently with Russian citizenship in Crimea has no right to vote in what is a Ukrainian issue.
Cal. Most of the weapons being used in both Syria and Egypt are of Russian /Chinese manufacture.
What video? Where is video where Russian Army is crossing Ukrainian border? I am sure you also see difference between Russian army and Russian fleet which has legal rights to be there in numbers up to 25000?
You think if there was proof that Russian army crossed borders of Ukraine you will not see it on every TV channel in the world?
Mick, Prove it … we know that the US is the largest supplier of weapons to Egypt .. I can prove my side no problem. You make claims bit don’t back them up with reliable sources.
Angryzes
Mick Jordan and Jeremy Usbourne are trolls (and possibly the same person). They are US based, hence you don’t see them comment during the day in Ireland.
Don’t react too much to them. They spout everything pro-US.
Cal. The US supplies heavy weapons aircraft and tanks to Egypt. Look at the ordinary Egyptian soldier and tell me what rifle he is carrying. Now look at Syria. And tell me what 99% of the Rebel forces are using. You will notice that they are AK47′s AK74′s and their derivatives. Now as far as I know these are Russian/Chinese manufactured weapons.
Cal. I am right here in Ireland. I work in Ireland and am an Irish citizen.
Btw. Cal what time is it now. 13:39 I believe. Middle of the day. Now maybe you don’t work . But the majority of us do. So the normal time for posting on the Journal is after work or on days off.
@Cal Yep, I know these guys, I’ve seen them before here. Also, this voting system here can be easily hacked, so no trust to post ratings here as well. History will show who is right and who is wrong.
4 green thumbs Mick – for a personal flame post which you posted 29 minutes ago, you’ve got quite an army of fans here ;)
People know right and wrong Angryzse. I am on my phone at the moment. So it would be difficult if not impossible for me to hack anything. But maybe you can tell us how how to do it.
So, people of Crimea know right and wrong themselves Mick. They will vote and if you are not recognising their choice – you are supporting dictatorship and oppression of people. Few weeks ago you supported Ukrainian neo nazi to fight for their freedom using all means. They can – Russians can’t? Go drink tea elsewhere.
“Go drink tea elsewhere” what the hell does that mean?
Mick, it means that you are an assh@ole, who has no idea wtf he is talking about..;)
You know what they say Vladimir. When you have to resort to insults you have lost the argument.
I wasn’t arguing with you Mick..
Vladimir by the simple fact that you are commenting you are taking part in the discussion/argument.
Yes they will vote to leave. Russia will use it as a lever in their discussions with the west. It’s unlikely that Putin will give in and likely that the Crimea will be like the other breakaway provinces across the former USSR. It’s strange the Putin has pushed his ideology to the religious right. And to see fascist in the Ukrainian government is disgusting and to listen to the US calling them freedom fighters! The hypocrisy of the US is breathtaking.
I’m predicting they will vote yes and that will unleash even more turmoil.
So, if this referendum is not recognised by EU? What is EU then? The Dictatorship.
Because the allies recognising Germany’s claim to the Sudetenland turned out to be great for everyone..
Don’t make the comparison to the Nazi’s here, that’s just spin coming out from Washington.
I’m not making that comparison.. All I’m saying is that you can no longer take an isolationist approach to world affairs that you could 150 years ago. All parties have to get involved and you cannot merely let a tiny portion of the world choose which government to follow and say that’s that all’s fair when the choice they make has such huge ramifications on the world stage
Angryz. Only Russia and its allies recognize this vote as legitimate. Nobody else does. And from next week the west will begin to place sanctions. Starting with visa bans and asset freezes. All those Russian Oligarchs will no longer have visas to go to London,Paris, Rome or New York. All their Property across Europe and the US will be seized as will their accounts. And that is just the beginning. Other more painful sanctions are on the table.
About painful sanctions Mick. Last time it was 20 million of our people killed, you think you have something more painful for us? You think someone in Russia is afraid?
The majority of Crimeans themselves see it as legitimate. There are observers from 130 countries monitoring the election today. Apparently after only 6 hours voting, 40% of the eligible population had already voted.
There are 3 other eastern Ukrainian regions that have openly declared they may also plan independence referendums.
Angryzse. When the Russian economy collapses and hyper inflation sets in. Then ask me. People in Russia have gotten used to having their little luxuries. They have gotten used to having full shelves in the shops. Under Stalin they were used to mass starvation, to mass deportations to hardship. When people are used to hardship then can tolerate a little more. But this generation of Russians have no idea about the Hardship their grandparents and great grandparents lived through. You have heard the stories but you haven’t lived it.
Mick cop on, you think the people of Crimea should be governed by people that decided to seize power because they didn’t like the way the country was going ?? if the people of Crimea want to break away from Ukraine then that’s their choice. Russia is entitled to act in the best interests of the people of Crimea. If there hadn’t have been a revolution then perhaps not at the speed they’re going. But you can’t support people who just seize power on one hand and then dismiss others who hold a referendum on the other. Very hypocritical
Killjoy The Second, there is no government in the Ukraine. just a bunch of people who decided to grab power
Tom. Do you recognize the Elected Parliament of Ukraine as a legitimate part of the Government?
Mick, The government in Kiev would be akin to Sinn Fein & FF running FG & Labour out of town at gunpoint and then claiming to be the elected government. So no I don’t. I’m not pro western or pro russian. But you can’t blame the large Russian majority in Crimea for saying We’re not going along with this.
@Mick, we will help each other and survive as we always do. Starvation, etc. in the middle of this mess we, as a nation, managed to win ww2, sent a man to space, etc. any sanctions imposed on Russia will backfire tenfold back to EU. Especially new members, so you can expect influx of economic migrants from Eastern Europe once again. This time 10 times more.
So you don’t recognize those MP’s that were Elected by the People of Ukraine to represent them in Parliament in the last Parliamentary Elections. Then what is the point of having a democracy?
We will see Angeryzes. I hope your visa is up to date.
Ha ha ha, my visa. Mick, you exposed yourself now. I have no visa, never had one – go figure. Another revelation – all Poles in Ireland have no visa.
So you are Polish. Then. But yet you said My People ie Russian. So are you Russian or Polish?
I never said that I am Polish. I just said that that all Polish have no visa because they are citizens of EU country, so, technically they are at home. So I am. But you expose yourself as a racist bringing up visa question when you have no other arguments.
No it a question of Nationality. As an EU citizen you would have the right to live and work anywhere in the EU. As a non EU citizen you will require a visa to work and live within the EU. Now the question is are you an EU citizen or not? And if you are a Russian citizen and the EU imposes a visa ban on Russian citizens within the EU then your right to live and work in the EU will be removed. Nothing racist about that.
You have no arguments, now you switch to personalities. My citizenship is not of your concern. What should concern you that countries such as Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece and even Germany will suffer from any serious economic sanctions imposed on Russia. And if you think that it will be second wave of recession – you will be too shy: It will be first wave of the catastrophe.
Russia will suffer much more. Like I said Europe can survive without Russian Gas but can Russia survive without western cash?
Angeryzes you are the one that brought up the Poles not I.
Yes, EU will be alright, no doubts. Germany and it’s 6000 companies working in Russia will be OK. Ireland will start buying Polish meat and Latvian fish, yes, yes. French will start buy Ukrainian milk, etc, etc. EU almost collapsed bailing out just one country – but of course now it can afford to bail out 10. Russia will not sell their gas to Asian tigers because … (Insert your opinion here)
Wait and see Angeryzes who hurts the most.
Don’t criticise the US or comments deleted. Hmmm
Sorry Journal…
Apology accepted.
One finger banking
But I use all of my fingers
You have to love the efficiency. We’re talking about having a vote on reuniting the country for the last 16 years and are still no closer.
At the same time we dont have armed forces or militia’s seizing government buildings or locking local authorities into their bases with threat of violence if they leave.
Yeah because the fascist coup that started all of this was soooo peaceful?!
We did for 30 years
I just hope it’s a fair election
It all maybe mafia organised ! From riots to this, all is not as it seems!russia May not always be the bad boys!
They’ve printed over 2 million ballot papers for a voting population of less than 1.5 million. I’m sure nothing can go wrong…
With no option to remain part of Ukraine!
What can go wrong!
Jeremy, that is a lie … either you don’t know or you are deliberately spreading untrue propaganda.
Option one: Vote to join the Russian Federation.
Option two: Remain aligned to Ukraine, but give enhanced autonomy to the local Crimean government.
What part of that do you not get?
Sounds like an American sponsored election eh
Cal. Section 2 is a vote of an independent Crimea. Where is the section that says to remain a Fully integrated part of Ukraine?
Jaysus Mick … Do i have to spoon feed you everything???
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26598832
There are plenty of more links to back this up. Remember, this all stemmed from the parliament in Kiev voting in favor of stopping the Russian language being recognized as an official language (even though >90% of the people in Eastern Ukraine speak it as a first language).
In American elections you get to choose between an elephant or a donkey
Cal where in your link does the BBC say that on the Ballot paper is the question “Do you wish to remain Fully integrated with Ukraine”? Not autonomous not independent but a fully integrated part of Ukraine.
Spot on Pat
Cal — You seem to skim read everything as this is not the first time you’ve completely misrepresented the contents of a link. You previously stated that Anton Shekhovtsov wrote that only Ukrainians should comment on the situation in Ukraine, declaring his article as ‘tripe’. Of course, he said no such thing, or anything remotely like it.
Now. Back to the referendum.
As you’ve posted a link from the BBC I’ll take it you accept them as a decent source and not part of the illuminati or something. Here’s what the BBC says about option 2 on the ballet:
“The wording ‘restoring the 1992 constitution’ does not make it clear whether this refers to the original version of the constitution, declaring Crimea an independent state, or the later amended version, in which Crimea was an autonomous republic within Ukraine.”
Clear enough, or is that tripe?
http://crimea.comments.ua/images/__2_13.jpg
Section 2) You are for the restitution of the Crimea Republic constitution of 1992 and status of Crimea as part of Ukraine ..
Anyway..Big Thanks for Crimea! :D
In truth what choice do the Crimeans have?
If they stay with Ukraine, they know that their oil and gas prices are going to go up by 40% over the next 2 years as stipulated in the IMF loan to Ukraine.
They know that their pension payments drop from $80 dollars a month to $40 over the same time-frame.
They know that after the first language bill presented by the ‘Nazi’ style Ukraine government in Kiev only 2 weeks ago, that in a pretty short space of time their first language ‘Russian’ will no longer be recognized.
They also know that Ethic Russians are being attacked and murdered by extreme pro-right Nazi style groups from Kiev all way to Donetsk (Not one person has been killed in Crimea since this whole crises has started, whereas in the rest of Ukraine, law and orrder are breaking down very quickly).
I know if it was me, which way i would be voting.
There have also been reports of anti Semitic attacks on Jews and synagogues across the Ukraine. I feel sorry for the people of the Ukraine.
The devil and deep blue sea spring to mind.
Denis. The Chief Rabbi in Ukraine has rubbished those reports as Russian propaganda.
Show me the link.
Mick,
there was a report in the Israeli Maariv newspaper that a Ukrainian rabbi, Moshe Reuven Azman, called on Kiev’s Jews to flee the country.
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/02/ukraines-chief-rabbi-has-warning-for-jews/#GVwX9iVZTYAdt1zp.99
Seriously man, get a life and take your head out of the sand.
The same Rabbi you quoted also said the following; Rabbi Bleich said, however, there is an element among the opposition, including some within the nationalist Svoboda party, “who [have] among its rank-and-file members nationalists, some of them are neo-Nazis or neo-fascists, people who are not embarrassed to say they hate Jews.”
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2014/02/ukraines-chief-rabbi-has-warning-for-jews/#GVwX9iVZTYAdt1zp.99
Cal. Look at the dates on my links a bit more recent that yours. So more up to date
“Go West life is peaceful there,go West life is peaceful there.”
And when they do ‘go west’ idiots will tell them to go home….
Ukraine should cut all power and water to Crimea. If they want to join Russia then let the Russians supply them.
Yeah, that’s really going to help the situation. Great thinking bat-man.
I see that the only power station in Gaza ran out of fuel to power electricity to homes of the 1.5 million people trapped there. The Israeli government haven’t allowed the fuel into Gaza for days. Collective punishment of an entire population is just sick, gross, wrong, inhumane and contrary to international law.
I hope you agree with me Mick ?
And Russia can cut off the gas supply to half of eu
No. Its the Israelis power station and they can sell electricity to whom ever they want. Same in Ukraine. Its their Power and pumping stations and they are entitled to sell to whom they choose. They have no obligation to sell power and water to a foreign nation.
Pat. Its spring. The need for Russian gas is declining. And the Slack can be taken up by gas from Norway and Algeria and Libya both of the latter have pipelines running through Italy. Russia depends on its Gas and Oil sales to Europe. That is the majority market. Europe can survive without Russian Gas. But Can Russia survive without European cash.
The Crimea is just going to end up another partially recognised territory like Transdnistria, North Ossetia and Abkhazia. This is going to cost Russia’s place in the world dearly.
From Russia with love. Crimea
Russia just gave Crimea away to the Ukraine back in the 1950s. The Crimeans were not at all happy about this. The Crimea has a majority of Russian speaking natives who would rather be part of the Russian federation. This vote will prove this. Europe should back off and let them determine their own fate. Ukraine is a lovely country and they are great people, but politically messed up.
Karl and the 200,000 Crimean Tartars that Stalin deported I am sure they were delighted to go to Uzbekistan.
Mick what about the people that just grabbed power in kiev ? They’re fine because they’re pro Europe ??
Tom. I have asked you once but I will ask you again. Do you recognize the Elected Parliament of Ukraine as a legitimate part of the Ukrainian Government?
If this vote is supposed to be undemocratic then it will be interesting to see what the overall voting turn out will be and if it is more than in Irish elections……
Chris. The Tartars have said they are boycotting the vote and I would most entice Ukrainians will also. So the only ones voting will be the Pro Russian Element
There was no complaints from the west when the pro Europe people illegally seized power because they didn’t like the way the country was going. Normal hypocritical Bull*hit
Tom it sounds more like you hate the EU than you have any sympathy with anyone on any side in the Ukraine..
have your say