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Mr Holland , French President (latest poll gives him a whooping 16% popularity among the French nationals) decided that the Crimean population had no right to hold a referendum on the right of self determination. One should remind him that 3 years ago the Indian ocean island off the coast of Africa- Mayotte- (not very close to mainland France...) held a local referendum to decide if it was to keep its autonomy or be more closely integrated into mainland France. The latter prevailed (so they can get more aid from the French taxpayer). So why not allow the Crimeans, an European population, what the French government allows a remote African / Indian ocean island ? I'm interested by the answers...
There are hundreds of books on national self-determination and the principle of territorial integrity. The main issues I see:
- Crimea is occupied by Russia.
- Russia doesn't allow any organizations in which could supervise a referendum (OSCE).
- While the Russian speaking folks are in the majority, they only make up 58% of the population. I think it's unfair for the rest to hold a referendum under sleazy conditions and military occupation.
- The ballot for March 16 is deeply flawed: People can choose between joining Russia immediately or going back to the Crimean constitution of '92, which would make Crimea an independent state. There is no "I'd like Crimea to be a Ukrainian province."
That said, there should be discussions over Crimea's status. But first the Russians should back off.
There are hundreds of books on national self-determination and the principle of territorial integrity. The main issues I see:
- Crimea is occupied by Russia.
- Russia doesn't allow any organizations in which could supervise a referendum (OSCE). - While the Russian speaking folks are in the majority, they only make up 58% of the population. I think it's unfair for the rest to hold a referendum under sleazy conditions and military occupation.
- The ballot for March 16 is deeply flawed: People can choose between joining Russia immediately or going back to the Crimean constitution of '92, which would make Crimea an independent state. There is no "I'd like Crimea to be a Ukrainian province."
That said, there should be discussions over Crimea's status. But first the Russians should back off.
No, over 60% ( or is it Sevastopol I'm thinking of?)
P.S. Was ( or when) the Crimean constitution changed since 1992?
At the Archipelago Sea Square there's boat-shaped name-plaques of persons and organizations equipped with Turku, and somewhere there there's a "Vladimir Putin" -plaque. I'm gonna find that plaque tomorrow and spray it.
Don't worry, I think I already defiled that plaque last summer when I stayed on that hostel boat I was hammered quite a few times, so maybe it's not as fresh as it used to be...
Don't worry, I think I already defiled that plaque last summer when I stayed on that hostel boat I was hammered quite a few times, so maybe it's not as fresh as it used to be...
I see, you all take it very personally))))
( Which brings it all to a new level))))
No, over 60% ( or is it Sevastopol I'm thinking of?)
Russian speaking folks? You have it all wrong...as mentioned before if you are Ukrainian the word for bread is Hlebah....in Russian it is Hleabah.....I don't see a huge difference in the way they speak...Russian is just another dialect of Ukrainian and Ukrainian is another dialect of Russian... ALL Ukrainians can speak and understand Russian and all Russians can speak and understand Ukrainian....it is like French Canadian as compared to Parisian French...You Americans have go to get this straight...We are not talking about two different cultures and one imposing itself on the other....these are both Slavonic peoples and have few differences.....Ukraine deserves respect....Russians in general view their Ukrainian brothers as slightly inferior....some proud Ukrainians like to be defined as Russians.
The Russian troops are definitely wanted there and earlier I thought that they were already there
Russian marines of the Black Sea Fleet are there as are some of the Ukrainian airforce which defected with 45 Migs 29 UBs and some other stuff. I gather that the bulk of regular Russian army units have returned to their bases or across the border but there is a small security force (like MPs) still there.
Quote:
That said, there should be discussions over Crimea's status. But first the Russians should back off.
hehehehhe......they are magicians aren't they?..;-).....
Any way, yes Russia should maybe give everybody a 'rest' but no they're going full-bore in...railways being built now?
Russia looks like they're pushing the envelope making the EU and the US react. Some sanctions have started.
Next up: Western 'military' moves? Somewhere? Curious to know when Putin will 'settle'. He probably knows but doesn't know how far he can go before the West will come to a point that necesity will force military moves. Some have said the West is not doing right in saying what they will NOT do. Frankly, it's not a good strategy to show your cards. Putin looks as if he's taking advantage of this.
I don't see any US Marines running around Crimea trying to ensure that the Crimean people will "vote for the right thing".
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I was hammered quite a few times, so maybe it's not as fresh as it used to be...
