Mustafa Cemilev: We do not recognize referendum in Crimea

“The position Crimean Tatar population in relation to the referendum  to be held on March 16 has not changed: it is an illegal activity and we are not going to recognize its results, “ said in an interview to Turan the leader of the Crimean Tatars, Mustafa Cemilev, commenting some Russian media about the alleged support of the referendum by  Tatars and their willingness to participate in it.

Referring to the  results of  the meetings at NATO Headquarters , Cemilev said that the meeting was held at the level of commander of the armed forces of NATO , which considered various scenarios.

Also met with the ambassadors of 28 NATO member countries . The main topic of the meeting was the fate of the Crimean population, and protection of their rights in the light of Russian annexation of the peninsula. "I warned them that decisive action is needed, not statements. What will you do when they take over our territory?  I did not get clear answer to this question," said Cemilev.

Asking the question about the situation on March 15 , Tatar leader said the situation remains tense. "Small provocations against the Tatars take place , but the  team  of the  felon Aksenov controls the situation. Although at one time it was he who had planned and carried out the attacks on the Crimean Tatars.

Now I think they follow instructions from the Kremlin not to touch the Tatars , but  no one knows what will happen next,  and nothing can be excluded," said Cemilev.

Being asked how he sees the results of his conversation with Putin , the leader of the Tatar noted that the Kremlin hopes to at least the neutrality of the Tatars, that the Tatars do not take the side of Ukraine.

"But I just told Putin that there will not be neutrality. We are citizens of this country and will be on the side of Ukraine," said Cemilev.

Asking the question  what can be in the case  of  annexation of the Crimea, Cemilev said it is difficult to predict, but most likely "some time  they  will flirt with us, but we have no reason to trust the Russian authorities, that a few days they will change their chauvinistic essence, so we have  no good expectations."

As for the referendum on March 16, Cemilev said he does not recognize this referendum.

"This is an adventure in which we do  are not involved, and  we are not going to recognize its results,"   concluded  Mustafa Cemilev. -02В-