Crimea doesn't need independence, must be part of Russia - Crimean PM
14 March 2014, 18:08 -- The Crimean authorities do not consider the possibility of proclaiming independence of the republic according to 'the Abkhazian version'. They believe that the process of joining the Russian Federation will take about a year, Prime Minister of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov says.
'I think that the transition period will take about a year, after that we will be fully able to enjoy all the processes, benefits as part of the Russian Federation,' Aksyonov said at a briefing in Simferopol.
He gave a negative answer to a question about a possibility of 'the Abkhazian version'.
'No, we will not have independence. We currently believe, I personally think that Crimea should join Russia as a subject of the Russian Federation,' he said.
Turnout can't affect referendum legitimacy - Crimean authorities
The forthcoming Crimea referendum will prove legitimate whatever the turnout, Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov said in a statement.
He said he was certain that over 80% of voters would turn up at polling stations to cast their ballots.
'Since we have no election threshold, the referendum will prove legal in any event', Aksyonov told a news conference on Friday.
Crimea ready to resist provocations on referendum day - Crimean PM
The Crimean authorities are certain that no provocations, such as cutting power in the region, will occur, though they have taken all anti-crisis measures necessary, Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov said.
'The grounds to cut power supplies or other sources of power generation for Crimean residents do not exist because no debts to supplying companies exist. Everything is paid for fully and, as of today, in accordance with the Ukrainian law,' Aksyonov said at a briefing in Simferopol on Friday.
'Any cuts could be done solely out of spite in order to do something bad to Crimean residents,' Aksyonov said. 'We have developed anti-crisis proposals, sites covered with concrete are completely ready and over 900 generators, which will allow us to supply power to people with no disruption, have been purchased,' he said.
'Common sense will win in Kyiv and they will not take silly steps because this will not change the situation but will be quite unfair in terms of financial and economic relations,' Aksyonov said.
Russian troops in Crimea not involved in 'active measures' - PM Aksyonov
Crimea's prime minister on Friday confirmed the presence of Russian troops in the Ukrainian region but denied they are 'taking part in any active measures.'
'There have always been Russian troops here, ever since Suvorov and Kutuzov,' Sergei Aksyonov told a news conference, referring to Russia's 18th-century Generalissimo Alexander Suvorov and Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, commander of the Russian Army during Napoleon's invasion of Russia in the early 19th century. 'However, the Russian forces are not taking part in any active measures,' Aksyonov said.
'All the blockings and the maintenance of public order are being done by the self-defense forces and Interior Ministry personnel of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, and by the security service.'
'With regard to some vital economic facilities, we coordinate our actions with the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation, no more than that,' Aksyonov said.
Voice of Russia, Interfax
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