By Vladimir V. Sytin
The Ukrainian Times
Sergey Naryshkin, chairman of the State Duma, Russia’s parliament, (pictured) has proposed to make an appeal to the peoples of the world. Specifically, the appeal will be to the effect that the Federal Republic of Germany annexed the German Democratic Republic in 1989.
“In contrast to Crimea, a national referendum was not held in the G.D.R.,” Mr. Naryshkin said.
A parliamentary committee on international affairs is supposed to draft a relevant statement condemning the annexation of the G.D.R. to the F.R.G. in 1989.
It is worth recalling that on March 16, 2014 more than 96% of the Crimea’s population voted in favor of secession from Ukraine and joining Russia. The referendum attracted 83% voter turnout. Importantly, opinion poll showed that 91% of citizens of Russia approved the reunification of Crimea with their country.
Commenting on the referendum in Crimea, several observers tweeted their opinion: “Mr. Putin is doing just right thing to protect Crimea from militants. The Ukraine’s so-called PM talks like a terrorist”, “Conveniently, the Ukrainian constitution accommodates a fascist coup but does not accept a democratic referendum”, “The coup at Maidan with neo-Nazis and snipers is U.S. friendly but the vote of 96% of Crimean citizens would be a sham”, “Kiev has fooled Crimea for a long time, stealing taxes without back efficiency. Fascism became the last drop. Bye-bye Nazi Ukraine! Hello Russia!”
Finally, it is worth remembering that in 1954 Crimea was given to Ukraine by Nikita Khrushchev, head of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, who was half-Ukrainian. At that time no one anticipated that the Union would ever collapse. And when that happened in 1991, residents of Crimea were handed over to Ukraine like a sack of potatoes. However, the peninsula’s population is mostly Russian and has had a strong Russian presence for more than 230 years including an important Russian naval base. Also, it must be noted that the Russian Cossacks under Catherine the Great conquered Crimea in 1783.
THE UKRAINIAN TIMES 