Pro-Russians Hold 'Independence' Votes in E. Ukraine
Pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine held referendums Sunday on "independence," but the Ukrainian government in Kyiv called the voting a "criminal farce."
Voters in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, about 15 percent of the Ukrainian population, cast ballots on whether they approved of independence. But it was unclear whether that meant more autonomy within Ukraine, creation of an independent state or possibly an attempt by the Russian-speaking regions to join Russia.
Kyiv, the United States and its European allies denounced the vote as illegal. Kyiv said the voting would have "no legal consequences for the territorial integrity of Ukraine."
Ukraine is holding a presidential election on May 25.
Many in eastern Ukraine appeared to ignore Sunday's voting.
One person said he voted for independence because he wants peace restored.
"I voted for the Donetsk republic. Why, because I am not happy with the government, I wish for me and my children to live in peaceful country. Everyone has seen what is happening here and what they are showing on TV."
Warning from Kyiv
Interim Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov has warned secession supporters that independence for the regions would be "a step into the abyss."
He has appealed to the rebels to join talks on greater autonomy in the east.
Sunday's ballots seek voter approval for establishing so-called sovereign people's republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The vote, organized on an ad hoc basis with no clear controls over ballot papers or voter lists, has been widely criticized in Kyiv and in Western capitals.
Separatist leaders claim the populations in Donetsk and Luhansk are demanding the immediate opportunity to vote on the region's future, despite questions about the legality of the ballots and recent polling showing 70 percent of locals opposed to secession.
While one separatist leader said the region would form its own state bodies and military after the referendum, formalizing a split that began with the armed takeover of state buildings in a dozen eastern towns last month.
Another said the vote would not change the region's status, but simply show that the East wanted to decide its own fate, whether in Ukraine, on its own or as part of Russia.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said late Saturday the United States will not recognize the results. She said the polls "violate international law and the territorial integrity of Ukraine."
Psaki said the United States is "disappointed" Russia did not use its influence in the region to postpone the voting, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's suggestion last week to delay the vote and his claim that Russian forces were pulling back from the Ukrainian border.
Psaki said the United States does not have any indication the Russian military is moving away from the border. She said Russian state media continued to "strongly back" the referendums "with no mention of Putin's call for postponement."
Western leaders blame Moscow for encouraging the separatist movement. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande said Saturday they would back new economic sanctions against Moscow if the ongoing unrest threatens Ukraine's May 25 presidential election.
Some modest measures may come as soon as Monday, limited by the Europe Union's reluctance to upset trade ties with Russia.
fuente: La Voz de América, http://www.voanews.com/content/pro-russians-hold-independence-votes-e-ukraine/1912366.html
Voters in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, about 15 percent of the Ukrainian population, cast ballots on whether they approved of independence. But it was unclear whether that meant more autonomy within Ukraine, creation of an independent state or possibly an attempt by the Russian-speaking regions to join Russia.
Kyiv, the United States and its European allies denounced the vote as illegal. Kyiv said the voting would have "no legal consequences for the territorial integrity of Ukraine."
Ukraine is holding a presidential election on May 25.
Many in eastern Ukraine appeared to ignore Sunday's voting.
One person said he voted for independence because he wants peace restored.
"I voted for the Donetsk republic. Why, because I am not happy with the government, I wish for me and my children to live in peaceful country. Everyone has seen what is happening here and what they are showing on TV."
Warning from Kyiv
Interim Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov has warned secession supporters that independence for the regions would be "a step into the abyss."
He has appealed to the rebels to join talks on greater autonomy in the east.
Sunday's ballots seek voter approval for establishing so-called sovereign people's republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The vote, organized on an ad hoc basis with no clear controls over ballot papers or voter lists, has been widely criticized in Kyiv and in Western capitals.
Separatist leaders claim the populations in Donetsk and Luhansk are demanding the immediate opportunity to vote on the region's future, despite questions about the legality of the ballots and recent polling showing 70 percent of locals opposed to secession.
While one separatist leader said the region would form its own state bodies and military after the referendum, formalizing a split that began with the armed takeover of state buildings in a dozen eastern towns last month.
Another said the vote would not change the region's status, but simply show that the East wanted to decide its own fate, whether in Ukraine, on its own or as part of Russia.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said late Saturday the United States will not recognize the results. She said the polls "violate international law and the territorial integrity of Ukraine."
Psaki said the United States is "disappointed" Russia did not use its influence in the region to postpone the voting, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's suggestion last week to delay the vote and his claim that Russian forces were pulling back from the Ukrainian border.
Psaki said the United States does not have any indication the Russian military is moving away from the border. She said Russian state media continued to "strongly back" the referendums "with no mention of Putin's call for postponement."
Western leaders blame Moscow for encouraging the separatist movement. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande said Saturday they would back new economic sanctions against Moscow if the ongoing unrest threatens Ukraine's May 25 presidential election.
Some modest measures may come as soon as Monday, limited by the Europe Union's reluctance to upset trade ties with Russia.
fuente: La Voz de América, http://www.voanews.com/content/pro-russians-hold-independence-votes-e-ukraine/1912366.html
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