The formerly russian state called Crimea, is largely inhabited by people who speak russian and are ethnically russian, but which became part of the Ukraine with the split up of the former USSR. The ethnically different western Ukraine wanted closer ties with the EU, and deposed the Ukranian leader who had been negotiating with the EU and Russia and was apparently looking for the best deal but eventually decided on a Russian deal. And they then banned Russian as a language (!). So today we hear the Crimean parliament has decided to run a referendum in Crimea on whether to separate from the Ukraine which to us sounds like a non-violent, democratic and de-escalating way of resolving things, by the vote and voice of the people. BUT WHAT IS THE RESPONSE? we are honestly shocked this morning to hear president obama state that the proposed referendum on the future of crimea would violate the ukranian constitution and violate international law.any discussion about the future of ukraine must include the legitimate government of ukraine (which doesnt exist currently they have a revolutionary council in effect). IN 2014 WE ARE WELL BEYOND THE DAYS WHEN BORDERS CAN BE REDRAWN OVER THE HEADS OF DEMOCRATIC LEADERS. So what hes is saying is, he feels we have gone beyond the days of having the legitimate will of the people determined by referendum, and that the will of revolutionary council calling itself a new government but without (yet) any mandate from the people, must be enforced. This is VERY scarily anti democratic and says a lot about thr administration in the US ability to overlook democratic principles when it comes to other, political, priorities. We SO need Direct DEMOCRACY here so we can protect the true will of the irish people. Whichever way the people votes, at least under DD their decision is ACTED ON. These are telling times.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 08:19:35 +0000