Russia disappointed with OSCE's statement over Crimea referendum. -Lavrov: If Kosovo-Metohija is a special case then Crimea is also (video)

Moscow is disappointed with the statement of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) over the upcoming referendum in Ukraine's Crimea, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.

"In its current form the referendum regarding Crimea scheduled for March 16, 2014, is in contradiction with the Ukrainian Constitution and must be considered illegal," the OSCE website quoted Didier Burkhalter as saying on Tuesday.

Moscow insisted that it considers the Sunday referendum completely legal, citing the Helsinki Act of 1975 which guarantees a right for all nations to decide freely their internal and external political status.

• It also expressed regret that the Swiss chairmanship of the OSCE had put a blind eye on "anti-constitutional coup" in Ukraine and on legitimacy of the new regime in Kiev.

• "We hope the chairmanship's possible assessments of these issues will take Russian point of view into account," the ministry said.

Moscow called on the bloc to drop double standards and accept invitation of Crimean authorities for monitoring mission during the referendum, which would facilitate de-escalation of tension in that region.

On March 6, the Crimean parliament voted to join Russia and a referendum on Crimea's status would be held on Sunday.

The crisis in the mostly Russian-speaking Crimea began in late February following the ouster of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Since the outbreak of the Crimea crisis, Kiev had been accusing Moscow of exacerbating the situation by increasing troop movements in Crimea, which is home to Russia's Black Sea Fleet. 
 http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/848529.shtml#.UyM6rM5ql5Y
14/3/14
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Related:

• Crimea invites OSCE observers for referendum over its status

• All dissidents are exposed to threats of violence in Ukraine. — Russia’s UN envoy/Выступление Виталия Чуркина на СБ ООН 13 03 2013

• Crimea obtains state status with declaration of independence adoption. - Crimean MP

• G7 not to recognize Crimea referendum. -Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, the US, as well as the European Council and the European Commission

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  • Lavrov: If Kosovo-Metohija is a special case then Crimea is also