Editorial: charade in Crimea flaunted as will of people

Photo: Urmas Nemvalts

«Please don’t call it ‘referendum’ – sham poll/stunt/charade will do fine,» Edward Lucas, author of The New Cold War and journalist at the British weekly The Economist tweeted yesterday. The charade in Crimea, over the future status of the region, wasn’t just spitting upon international law; rather, it amounted to a bona fide case of vox populi turned into something totally distant from democracy. By the «result», everyone essentially is deceived – even those casting their vote in truth and conviction. 

Like with elections, a referendum needs to be common, uniform and direct. A referendum as part of the democratic process may be talked about when, within a free debate, the nation has been able to thoroughly discuss and weigh answers to the political question posed. A referendum needs to be transparent, subject to scrutiny of independent observers.

The travesty played out in Crimea, yesterday, as an expression of the will of the people, was conducted in violation of Ukrainian law and international justice, wherefore its results cannot claim to be legitimate. The voters were only offered two versions: to join Russia or substantially increase autonomy of Crimea within Ukraine. Observers of OSCE (Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe) were not allowed into Crimea; even so, representatives of independent media shared hundreds of reportages and pictures on how the day before «referendum», supposedly propaganda-free, the cities were filled with posters calling for merger with Russia. Yesterday, the people expressed their «free will» under the gaze of thousands of armed soldiers of the Russian army. In some cases, as described by Postimees’ reports, quite a gauntlet of Kalashnikovs had to be passed – this was «celebrating democracy», under occupation.

The world, now, stands staring at an established fact. A fact which isn’t to be assessed by amounts of voters or results – otherwise, an independent media channel will act as horn of propaganda for Kremlin. Hopefully, this will not be stumbled into by EU foreign ministers gathered again in Brussels, today, to discuss the situation created and moves to be made.

In these circles, as around other international tables which we have reached (we the Most Integrated Nordic Country according to diplomats and politicians), Estonia needs to explain its partners that words and resolutions, however pointed, will never help Kiev nor muzzle Moscow.

What Ukraine needs is tangible support; and Russia will have to feel that for the international community of 21^st century, politics of force are not acceptable. (Financial) sanctions against Russia will cause problems for the west as well; without such, however, the values and freedoms will be sacrificed – the ones for which post-WW2 Europe has been standing.