Crimea Tatars eye referendum to rule on Russia annexation
- 10 years ago
Tatars in Crimea weigh their future.
After Russia claimed Crimea following a referendum, now the head of the Tatar's main assembly says they are considering holding their own referendum to decide whether to be part of Ukraine or Russia.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) HEAD OF THE MAIN ASSEMBLY OF CRIMEAN TATARS ( MEJLIS) REFAT CHUBAROV, SAYING:
"If we acknowledge that the referendum is the mechanism for others to determine what they want - and it is the main tool for this - then we will search for possibilities of holding our own referendum."
Any such vote would be a challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin who last week signed documents formally incorporating Crimean into Russia.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) HEAD OF THE MAIN ASSEMBLY OF CRIMEAN TATARS ( MEJLIS) REFAT CHUBAROV, SAYING:
"The Crimean Tatars will have to determine where, on their land, they see their future."
Repeatedly referring to Ukraine as "our country", he left no doubt about his own fee
After Russia claimed Crimea following a referendum, now the head of the Tatar's main assembly says they are considering holding their own referendum to decide whether to be part of Ukraine or Russia.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) HEAD OF THE MAIN ASSEMBLY OF CRIMEAN TATARS ( MEJLIS) REFAT CHUBAROV, SAYING:
"If we acknowledge that the referendum is the mechanism for others to determine what they want - and it is the main tool for this - then we will search for possibilities of holding our own referendum."
Any such vote would be a challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin who last week signed documents formally incorporating Crimean into Russia.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) HEAD OF THE MAIN ASSEMBLY OF CRIMEAN TATARS ( MEJLIS) REFAT CHUBAROV, SAYING:
"The Crimean Tatars will have to determine where, on their land, they see their future."
Repeatedly referring to Ukraine as "our country", he left no doubt about his own fee