Crimean parliament’s decision to join Russia is forced measure – speaker

Russian Naval Vessel in Ukrainian Port

(Interfax – March 9, 2014) Crimean Parliament Speaker Volodymyr Konstantynov said during negotiations in the Russian State Duma that the decision to hold a referendum in Crimea and the decision made by the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to join Russia are forced measures caused by threats made by Ukraine.

“Volodymyr Konstantynov pointed out the importance of the historical moment the autonomous republic if going through. He said the decision to hold a referendum, which was made by the majority of Crimean parliamentarians, is not a political step, but a forced measure, a reaction to the current situation in Ukraine and an attempt to defend the autonomous republic,” a report on the negotiations between Konstantynov and Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin, which is available on the website of the Supreme Council of Crimea, says.

The report says the parliamentarians had discussed issues relating to the organization of the upcoming referendum in Crimea, including the city of Sevastopol.

The decision to join Crimea to Russia was made by the Supreme Council of Crimea on Thursday. The people of Crimea will back or reject this decision at the March 16 referendum.

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