95.5 percent of Crimeans vote for joining Russia

[webfact]

Crimea referendum: Voters 'back Russia union'

(BBC) Some 95.5% of voters in Crimea have supported joining Russia, officials say, after half the votes have been counted in a disputed referendum.

Crimea's leader says he will apply to join Russia on Monday. Russia's Vladimir Putin has said he will respect the Crimean people's wishes.

Many Crimeans loyal to Kiev boycotted the referendum, and the EU and US condemned it as illegal.

Pro-Russian forces took control of Crimea in February.

They moved in after Ukraine's pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted after street protests.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26606097


-- BBC 2014-03-17

[F430murci]

This could be so bad. I hope not.

[whoisyourdaddy]

This could be so bad. I hope not.

Does not have to be. If EU and US recognize it as they did with Kosovo, problem ends right there.

95% would surely count as majority and if the whole saga is about people and nothing else, accepting majority choice should not be an issue

Edited March 17, 2014 by whoisyourdaddy

[F430murci]

This could be so bad. I hope not.

Does not have to be. If EU and US recognize it as they did with Kosovo, problem ends right there.

95% would surely count as majority and if the whole saga is about people and nothing else, accepting majority choice should not be an issue

Not a real vote. Not much different than nutty little NK boy getting 100%, but this has much worse implications. I have many friends from the region and are all very upset. This is not even remotely about US or EU. Not even remotely.

Wife said today when she came here, it was not US citizens that showed animosity. It was all the little Eastern European border countries that hated Russians and this is going to cause huge problems over there.

Wife was totally in Putin's corner and thought West was FOS when saying Putin was going to annex Crimea. Now she is in disbelieve and thinks this thing could go to levels no one can imagine. She is pretty tied in to Moscow big business as she works for BofA as an investment banker in global wealth. She says everyone over there is shocked and worried it went this far. Forget US response, this thing could spiral out of control rapidly no matter what US does.

Edited March 17, 2014 by F430murci

[Carmine6]

This could be so bad. I hope not.

Does not have to be. If EU and US recognize it as they did with Kosovo, problem ends right there.

95% would surely count as majority and if the whole saga is about people and nothing else, accepting majority choice should not be an issue

Not a real vote. I have many friends from the region and are all very upset. This is not even remotely about US or EU. Not even remotely.

No kidding. An invading army kicks your country's armed forces out and then has a vote taken of if you want to join them. Doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that maybe voting for the new guy might keep your family safer than not voting for them, particularly given it is the Russian army that did the invading. Seems about as legitimate as the votes in Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela, etc.

[F430murci]

This could be so bad. I hope not.

Does not have to be. If EU and US recognize it as they did with Kosovo, problem ends right there.

95% would surely count as majority and if the whole saga is about people and nothing else, accepting majority choice should not be an issue

Not a real vote. I have many friends from the region and are all very upset. This is not even remotely about US or EU. Not even remotely.

No kidding. An invading army kicks your country's armed forces out and then has a vote taken of if you want to join them. Doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that maybe voting for the new guy might keep your family safer than not voting for them, particularly given it is the Russian army that did the invading. Seems about as legitimate as the votes in Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela, etc.

Yes. Thank you. A voice of reason on the Internet. There is hope.

[Johnnie99]

"Some 95.5% of voters in Crimea have supported joining Russia"

Actually, no. 95.5% of those who didn't boycott the vote have supported joining Russia.

[Pikeybkk]

so it is ok for Russia to annex Crimea, then Germany was correct in ww2 with the Sudetenland etc.....nah, the Russian's are shit stirring and they know it. If the Russian speaking people want to be Russian, then move to Russia.

[mosquitobill]

so it is ok for Russia to annex Crimea, then Germany was correct in ww2 with the Sudetenland etc.....nah, the Russian's are shit stirring and they know it. If the Russian speaking people want to be Russian, then move to Russia.

So following that path it was ok for England to annex Northern Ireland and If the Northern Irish want to be English move to England

[h90]

This could be so bad. I hope not.

Does not have to be. If EU and US recognize it as they did with Kosovo, problem ends right there.

95% would surely count as majority and if the whole saga is about people and nothing else, accepting majority choice should not be an issue

Not a real vote. I have many friends from the region and are all very upset. This is not even remotely about US or EU. Not even remotely.

No kidding. An invading army kicks your country's armed forces out and then has a vote taken of if you want to join them. Doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that maybe voting for the new guy might keep your family safer than not voting for them, particularly given it is the Russian army that did the invading. Seems about as legitimate as the votes in Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela, etc.

The Crime is and always was Russian, so they don't see Russians as invasion.....Even the Ukraine (beside some nationalists) would prefer to be wealthy in Russia than poor in Ukraine. And for the Muslim Tatars (spelling) Putin made a real nice offer so they have their culture preserved.

And of course Putin checked the public opinion very well before doing it.

[h90]

"Some 95.5% of voters in Crimea have supported joining Russia"

Actually, no. 95.5% of those who didn't boycott the vote have supported joining Russia.

Very high voter turn out was in the newspapers Sunday lunch time....don't know the final numbers

[h90]

so it is ok for Russia to annex Crimea, then Germany was correct in ww2 with the Sudetenland etc.....nah, the Russian's are shit stirring and they know it. If the Russian speaking people want to be Russian, then move to Russia.

If any other country would tell their minorities to give up their identity or leave everyone would shout "Nazi". But for a Russian minority it should be OK to ban their language and tell them to leave....

[Foreignerinthai123]

"Some 95.5% of voters in Crimea have supported joining Russia"

Actually, no. 95.5% of those who didn't boycott the vote have supported joining Russia.

95.5% of voters have voted to join Russia.

Those who didn't vote are by definition not "voters", they didnt vote did they?

anyways, the voter turnout was 81.7%, with 95.5% in favor of joining russia, staggering numbers, you can't spin your way out of it. especially since this is after a legally democratically elected government in Kiev was removed by a small violent fascist minority and replaced by appointed elitists.

If the west truly values democracy they will back off and let the Crimean people, who in majority are russian anyway, join the country they want to join, but the west only values democracy when it suits them. therefor the small group of protesters (largely non violent) in Thailand is bad, and the democratically elected government is holy and can not be questioned. and the small group of protesters (largely very violent neo nazi's) in the Ukraine is good and the government is bad.

By the way, i don't want to make any claims about wether the government in Ukraine prior to the coup was not bad, it clearly was as corrupt as could be, and the people were right to be pissed off. but that doesn't make the double standard and total hypocrisy ok.

it's amazing the power the mainstream media has over people, who will blindly believe and support what they are being told to support.

Edited March 17, 2014 by Foreignerinthai123

[PepperMe]

This could be so bad. I hope not.

Does not have to be. If EU and US recognize it as they did with Kosovo, problem ends right there.

95% would surely count as majority and if the whole saga is about people and nothing else, accepting majority choice should not be an issue

Not a real vote. Not much different than nutty little NK boy getting 100%, but this has much worse implications. I have many friends from the region and are all very upset. This is not even remotely about US or EU. Not even remotely.

Wife said today when she came here, it was not US citizens that showed animosity. It was all the little Eastern European border countries that hated Russians and this is going to cause huge problems over there.

Wife was totally in Putin's corner and thought West was FOS when saying Putin was going to annex Crimea. Now she is in disbelieve and thinks this thing could go to levels no one can imagine. She is pretty tied in to Moscow big business as she works for BofA as an investment banker in global wealth. She says everyone over there is shocked and worried it went this far. Forget US response, this thing could spiral out of control rapidly no matter what US does.

You are wrong..... you are very wrong..... you are very very wrong.

The US and the EU are 100% rooted in this game, and they are playing it like chess and manipulating the situation (especially the USA) who again are acting in self interest and not the interest of the region.

You do realize that this nationalist movement in Ukraine is totally fascist, and very very dangerous. These neo nazis are planning on taking over and then the Ethnic cleansing will start including all jews, muslims and of course Russians.

They want a pure Nazi state, and they have the backing of the US state service.

You really need to take a 10 minute 'timeout' and watch this video..... all the resources are backed up from very credible neutral sources.

It is NOT a propaganda video, it has very big merit. Note the converstaion with US government officials handpicking the new nationalist Neo Nazi government from some of the vilest people.... Also the viral 'I am a Ukrainian' video.... Made by a Hollywood film crew.

The USA are into this up to their nuts. If they get their way, Ukraine will deffo be a NK ruled by fear and intimidation.

The USA should just keep the f*** out of others' politics... they are the most dangerous in the world and a lot of people are losing their patience with them..... One day the US could be turned into a smoking hole in the ground, and their foreign interferences will be their downfall.

Edited March 17, 2014 by PepperMe

[Pakboong]

Those voting for staying with the Ukraine were largely Muslim Tartars who make up approximately 12% of the population.

[aaacorp]

US an european people should shut up and let the Crimea be russian.

They created a precedent by allowing Kossovo to be independant. Putine play the same game...

[SICHONSTEVE]

Those voting for staying with the Ukraine were largely Muslim Tartars who make up approximately 12% of the population.

To be honest, I think that it is outrageous that the West and in particular the US are kicking up a stink about this.

The people have voted that they want to return to Russia in a referendum by a huge majority and their views must be respected, so let them.

How can they say it is wrong when it is what they want???

I don't normally agree with what Russia does but I'm on their side with this one!!

[SjaakNL2013]

It s everywhere the same Florida in the USA, The Netherlands in Europe and now Ukraine.

As always the one in power change the outcome they like with buying votes, make extra vote bills or just ransack the vote software. They don t care as long the outcome is correct for the one in power.

[whoisyourdaddy]

This could be so bad. I hope not.

Does not have to be. If EU and US recognize it as they did with Kosovo, problem ends right there.

95% would surely count as majority and if the whole saga is about people and nothing else, accepting majority choice should not be an issue

Not a real vote. Not much different than nutty little NK boy getting 100%, but this has much worse implications. I have many friends from the region and are all very upset. This is not even remotely about US or EU. Not even remotely.

Wife said today when she came here, it was not US citizens that showed animosity. It was all the little Eastern European border countries that hated Russians and this is going to cause huge problems over there.

Wife was totally in Putin's corner and thought West was FOS when saying Putin was going to annex Crimea. Now she is in disbelieve and thinks this thing could go to levels no one can imagine. She is pretty tied in to Moscow big business as she works for BofA as an investment banker in global wealth. She says everyone over there is shocked and worried it went this far. Forget US response, this thing could spiral out of control rapidly no matter what US does.

I really like your posts, but its about time you stop with "the wife says"

US and EU set precedent with Kosovo, it is as much legal as Kosovo vote.

If the US or EU wanted to be the "good guys" perhaps they should invent time travel machine and go back to Kosovo vote, otherwise all involved look like biggest hypocrites and then wonder why Russia would not negotiate

[Pakboong]

Ukraine tried to set up a draft and their young men decided not to show up. The Ukrainian military in Crimea defected to the Russians.

Understanding Ukrainian history between the Bolshevik revolution and World War II will make this stuff a lot clearer. The Ukrainians surrendered in mass to the Nazi's without putting up a fight. The Ukrainians of today are the babyboomers of that war and will likely never let that history go. Glossing over that history is IMO a serious mistake.

[Traveller45]

This could be so bad. I hope not.

Does not have to be. If EU and US recognize it as they did with Kosovo, problem ends right there.

95% would surely count as majority and if the whole saga is about people and nothing else, accepting majority choice should not be an issue

Oh sure, 95% is a majority. You know, with these people, I bet the ballot boxes were full even without anybody voting, and every station had a couple of thousands of spare pro-Russian ballots available should they be needed. Why do you think international observers were excluded?

[Pakboong]

This could be so bad. I hope not.

Does not have to be. If EU and US recognize it as they did with Kosovo, problem ends right there.

95% would surely count as majority and if the whole saga is about people and nothing else, accepting majority choice should not be an issue

Oh sure, 95% is a majority. You know, with these people, I bet the ballot boxes were full even without anybody voting, and every station had a couple of thousands of spare pro-Russian ballots available should they be needed. Why do you think international observers were excluded?

The Crimean referendum was fully in line with international standards, its results should be recognised both in Ukraine and western countries, Austrian member of the European Parliament Johann Stadler said at the final press-conference of international observers on Sunday.

Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_17/Crimean-referendum-in-line-with-intl-standards-laws-Austrian-observer-8550/Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_17/Crimean-referendum-in-line-with-intl-standards-laws-Austrian-observer-8550/

[3NUMBAS]

no different than the brits in the falklands and gibralter voting to stay with the UK and nor argentina and spain .

the ruskies are threatening to toast the yanks if they dont butt out

[eurozhongguo]

The vote consisted of 2 choices : a) join Russia now; and join Russia later. How deomocratic is that? The vote should have been 100%, not just 95.5%. Or does it mean that 95.5% voted a)? There was no proper electoral register either. So, not everyone could have voted.

However, it will be very easy to bring Crimea to its knees under Russian rule. First, Crimea has no land border with Russia. It's only border is with the Ukraine. Tourism will plummet : parly, from fear of rising tensions, but mainly since Europeans will need visas to go there. No visa is necessary for the Ukraine. It will probably become a new Transdinistr. Rather than getting richer, as they think they will do in Russia, the Crimean economy will collapse and the Ukraine could easily close the border with the Crimea altogether.

[SICHONSTEVE]

no different than the brits in the falklands and gibralter voting to stay with the UK and nor argentina and spain .

the ruskies are threatening to toast the yanks if they dont butt out

Exactly what I was thinking - we held a referendum asking the Falkland Islanders who they wanted to be aligned with. A high proportion of the Islanders voted for the UK over Argentina and that is proof that the Islands belong to us (according to the UK politicians).

Just what is the difference between Crimea and the Falklands?? If it is alright to abide by the referendum results we held then surely the Crimean's have the same rights and we should support their choice of remerging with Russia where they feel they belong and can get much needed aid and assistance!!!

As for the US, they should keep out of other countries affairs and sort their own house out (that should keep them more than busy).

[Asiantravel]

This could be so bad. I hope not.

Does not have to be. If EU and US recognize it as they did with Kosovo, problem ends right there.

95% would surely count as majority and if the whole saga is about people and nothing else, accepting majority choice should not be an issue

Not a real vote. Not much different than nutty little NK boy getting 100%, but this has much worse implications. I have many friends from the region and are all very upset. This is not even remotely about US or EU. Not even remotely.

Wife said today when she came here, it was not US citizens that showed animosity. It was all the little Eastern European border countries that hated Russians and this is going to cause huge problems over there.

Wife was totally in Putin's corner and thought West was FOS when saying Putin was going to annex Crimea. Now she is in disbelieve and thinks this thing could go to levels no one can imagine. She is pretty tied in to Moscow big business as she works for BofA as an investment banker in global wealth. She says everyone over there is shocked and worried it went this far. Forget US response, this thing could spiral out of control rapidly no matter what US does.

You are wrong..... you are very wrong..... you are very very wrong.

The US and the EU are 100% rooted in this game, and they are playing it like chess and manipulating the situation (especially the USA) who again are acting in self interest and not the interest of the region.

You do realize that this nationalist movement in Ukraine is totally fascist, and very very dangerous. These neo nazis are planning on taking over and then the Ethnic cleansing will start including all jews, muslims and of course Russians.

They want a pure Nazi state, and they have the backing of the US state service.

You really need to take a 10 minute 'timeout' and watch this video..... all the resources are backed up from very credible neutral sources.

It is NOT a propaganda video, it has very big merit. Note the converstaion with US government officials handpicking the new nationalist Neo Nazi government from some of the vilest people.... Also the viral 'I am a Ukrainian' video.... Made by a Hollywood film crew.

The USA are into this up to their nuts. If they get their way, Ukraine will deffo be a NK ruled by fear and intimidation.

The USA should just keep the f*** out of others' politics... they are the most dangerous in the world and a lot of people are losing their patience with them..... One day the US could be turned into a smoking hole in the ground, and their foreign interferences will be their downfall.

a dose of " oil for gold " policy by Putin will help to rein in some of those " aspirations " at the White House and EU?

[pmugghc]

How about Putin allows for a secession vote in Chechnya?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[mrwebb8825]

95.5% were for it after only 50% of the votes had been counted. Sounds like a Thai government. (Phu Thai that is)

[whoisyourdaddy]

This could be so bad. I hope not.

Does not have to be. If EU and US recognize it as they did with Kosovo, problem ends right there.

95% would surely count as majority and if the whole saga is about people and nothing else, accepting majority choice should not be an issue

Oh sure, 95% is a majority. You know, with these people, I bet the ballot boxes were full even without anybody voting, and every station had a couple of thousands of spare pro-Russian ballots available should they be needed. Why do you think international observers were excluded?

Unless you have some evidence to support your claim, you are just talking nonsense.

There were a number of international observers, do little google search

[phil2]

so it is ok for Russia to annex Crimea, then Germany was correct in ww2 with the Sudetenland etc.....nah, the Russian's are shit stirring and they know it. If the Russian speaking people want to be Russian, then move to Russia.

and it was okay for the west to bombard Iraq and Libya and have their presidents killed