Interfax: Crimean authorities vow to prevent anarchy in autonomous republic

Map of Ukraine and Ukrainian Flag

KYIV. Feb 24 (Interfax) – The Crimean Council of Ministers is closely cooperating with the Ukrainian police, Security Council, and prosecutors in order to take urgent measures to prevent manifestations of extremism and anarchy, the Autonomous Republic of Crimea’s head of government Anatolii Mohyliov said on Sunday.

“As the republic’s chief executive, I want to reassure you that the Crimean Council of Ministers is working as usual. All vital strategic facilities across the autonomous region are under control. Water, electricity, heating, food – everything is under special attention. Everything will be supplied in full and smoothly,” the Crimean prime minister said in a statement issued by the Crimean Council of Ministers’ information policy department on Sunday.

“Our law enforcement forces, especially after the return of the Crimean units of the Berkut (riot police) and Internal Troops from Kyiv, are absolutely sufficient to ensure reliable protection: security has been stepped up at train stations, power sub-stations, water reservoirs, and military facilities, police have doubled their patrols on the streets,” the prime minister said.

“The Crimean power is strong because it feels your support,” Mohyliov said, addressing the Crimean people. “We are exercising calm and restraint. The interests of Crimea and its people’s safety are now our first priority. Any social and political cataclysms end sooner or later, so after that we must be proud to have passed all trials with dignity,” the prime minister said.

“Despite the differences in our political views and the difficulties that arise, we are all Crimeans. The likelihood of your socio-economic problems being resolved in future will depend on our ability to preserve stability on the peninsula. The Crimean Council of Ministers has always been consistent in defending its interests before the central power,” Mohyliov said.

“Dear Crimeans, like most of you I have a family, children, friends, a house of my own. And most importantly, I have no other home country. All of us have the same Fatherland!” Mohyliov said.

Meanwhile, during a 20,000-strong “people’s will rally” in the central square in Sevastopol on Sunday it was decided to elect the Russian owner of Tavrida Electric Group Alexei Chaly as the city head, local media outlets said.

There was not a single Ukrainian flag at the rally and only Russian tricolors, St. Andrew’s banners, the symbols of the Communist Party of Ukraine, and one Belarusian flag, according to the Crimean-based news agency Navigator. The rally voted for stopping the payment of taxes to Kyiv and re-subordinate police to the city authorities.

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