THE CRIMEAN GRIDLOCK

This is in response to the Opinion article, ‘The Crimean deadlock’ (KT, April 9). The write-up was mostly biased and addressed against the views of majority of Russians, probably 80 per cent of Crimeans and even a significant group of Ukrainians (presumably, around 10 to 25 per cent) regardless of which language the latter prefer to speak.

The article tactically described the size of Crimea comparing that it is larger than that of Israel and Latvia without giving any respect for the democratic process of Crimean’s choice which was exhibited in the March vote.

As a matter of fact, more than 100 international observers were present during the referendum and the OSCE had refused to observe although it was invited.

The article has carefully avoided background scenarios in connection with the development leading to the secession vote. There was no mentioning about the overthrowing of the democratically elected president in the country’s capital at the gun point or by violent means of protest.

Neither any mentioning about the degree of support provided by many Western governments to the protesters that went uncontrolled later and led to violence.

Most of the tone in the article would have lost if it had mentioned about the separation of Kosovo, Serbia etc which was at once recognised by many states in the world, especially the US and Europe.

The point is Russian views are not published by many main- stream publications except parts and pieces to claim respective coverage, unfortunately.

The speech of Russian President Vladimir Putin before parliament during the third weeks of March in regard to annexation of Crimea in full context would have given a true insight into the Russia’s morality of the matter.

Subramanian Nair, India