"I am ready to ensure the free expression of the will of citizens to give the opportunity for all Ukrainians to express their view on the future of Donbas," Poroshenko told reporters during a press conference.
The referendum will decide on the issues related to the self-rule of Donbas within Ukraine, he said, ruling out a possibility of holding a vote on the region's independence.
"As a guarantor of Ukraine's territorial integrity, I will never allow the referendum on Donbas secession," Poroshenko emphasized.
A referendum on more autonomy from the central government in Kiev was an initial demand of rebels at the start of the bloody conflict in eastern regions in April 2014, which so far has killed over 6,400 people.
Currently, the insurgents are seeking full independence for areas under their control, while Kiev is offering them a "special status" within Ukraine on the condition of holding local elections under the country's legislation.
The "special status" increases the authority of local communities by transferring more economic, financial and administrative powers to the regional governments and guarantees local residents the right to use languages by their choice.
Source:Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
5/6/15
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Poroshenko ‘will never allow referendum’ splitting Donbas from Ukraine...
ReplyDeleteNo referendum on severing the Donbas from the rest of Ukraine is possible, but there is a possibility of holding a referendum on the regime of local government, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Friday at a press conference on the occasion of his annual address to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine "On the internal and external situation of Ukraine in 2015."
"The issue of separating off the Donbas is a provocation. As the president and the Supreme Commander, as the guarantor of the Constitution, I’m a guarantor of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. I will never allow the holding of a referendum on the separation of the Donbas [from Ukraine]," Poroshenko said.
"As for the regime of local government - if it requires constitutional changes, there is a corresponding constitutional procedure, including a referendum. And as the guarantor of the Constitution, I will ensure the free will of citizens so that all Ukrainians will have an opportunity to express how they see the future of the Donbas - but only as a part of Ukraine," Poroshenko said.
http://www.unian.info/politics/1086006-poroshenko-will-never-allow-referendum-splitting-donbas-from-ukraine.html
5/6/15