Kharkov prepares a referendum about the region status

Questions of the Internet portal «The world and we» are answered by Yury Mikhaylovich Apukhtin, the head of public organization «Great Russia» (Kharkov).

— How did the elections on May 25 pass in Kharkov, what are the results of vote? Were any attempts to boycott this «democratic» will?

In Kharkov we held the meetings and convinced people to boycott the elections. Any campaign on the polling station regardless of for whom to vote is the recognition of legitimacy of this power. Thus there was no one from all candidates who would be worthy our attention. Besides, presidential elections at present don’t solve anything. The person elected on these elections is the favorite for some months. All the same shortly the power will change, and there will be new elections of the Verkhovna Rada, President and local authorities.

And the matter is not in Poroshenko — any on his place will be the favorite. He won’t solve problems of opposition of the West and the East. Moreover, Poroshenko began full-scale war with aircraft use against Donetsk for the second day after the election.

It is obvious that such person who has illegally come to the power, has no authority neither in the West, nor in the East, doesn’t put forward any ideas on reconciliation of these parties. Therefore it is a matter of time when at the power there will be absolutely other people.

It was supposed that on elections in Kharkov the attendance will be much less, but about 48% came. Thus this percent is one of the lowest, apart from Donetsk and Lugansk where elections actually weren’t held. In Kharkov the lowest percent of voices for Poroshenko — only 35%, and Tymoshenko appeared on the 4th place with result in 7%. Thus, people who voted for the illegitimate power in the Kharkov area are only about 25%. Here is their real support in our region.

— Were any mass actions against elections in the city on May 25?

On May 25 about 1 thousand people who have opposed elections gathered on Svoboda Square. People opposed the Kiev power resolutely. Then, on May 26, the meeting near the Russian consulate with the requirement that Russia interfered with the processes happening in Ukraine was held — this day the slaughter in Donetsk began.

— Will the referendum holding about the territorial status of the region be planned in Kharkov?

It was declared that the referendum in Kharkov will be, but not soon.

On May 11 such referendum wasn’t held because there were no technical capabilities, and the power did everything to prevent its carrying out, including the arrests of organizers. From an asset of our organization 5 people are arrested already. Besides, 64 persons still aren’t released who were captured a month ago in Kharkov Regional State Administration.

It is impossible in present Kharkov conditions to formulate a referendum question as it was made in Donetsk. Therefore the formulation which will speak not only about the status of the Kharkov area, but also about the status of all Southeast — 8 areas is now fulfilled. We consider that status change is an urgent need, but it has to be carried out step by step. Now our requirement about the federal device of Ukraine with the largest powers of regions are planned to offer to the Kiev authorities as negotiation process. Thus not each area is thus considered separately, but only three regions — the Southeast, the Center and Galicia. Possibility of application is offered to each of these regions of the veto on basic international contracts.

If the power is ready to conduct negotiations, then they will be carried out for the purpose of implementation of our offers. But if they refuse, then we will directly raise a question of the status of our regions. The question of a referendum will be considered then.

Elections showed that about 25% of percent of Kharkov citizens play for the power and unity of Ukraine in that look as it is offered. The majority doesn’t recognize the power and doesn’t want to recognize. The majority of people seeks not to separate from Ukraine — the people seek to clean this power, corruption, clans which rule the country.

— How the events in Donetsk on May 26 affected the Kharkov citizens, the views of those who voted for representatives of the self-appointed Kiev power?

That occurred in Donetsk on May 26 is the second Odessa. Events in Odessa forced to shudder all Ukraine and the whole world. That occurred in Donetsk is one more such crime. We have a termless action in Kharkov — every day at 18.00 at a monument to Lenin light the funeral candles in memory of victims in Odessa. And now Donetsk was added also.