Crimea to Hold Referendum on Joining Russia

Lawmakers in the embattled Crimean region of Ukraine have decided to hold a referendum March 16 on whether Crimea should become part of Russia. "This is our response to the disorder and lawlessness in Kyiv," Sergei Shuvainikov, a member of the local Crimean legislature, said Thursday. "We will decide our future ourselves." The parliament in Crimea, which enjoys a degree of autonomy under current Ukrainian law, voted 78 with eight abstentions in favour of holding the referendum. Local voters will also be given the choice of deciding to remain part of Ukraine, but with enhanced local powers.  The Crimean parliament has requested Russia "to start procedures for  Crimea's joining the Russian Federation  as a subject of the Russian Federation." Meanwhile Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov announced that, despite reports to the contrary, are not in control of Crimea.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-crisis-crimea-referendum-on-joining-russia-to-be-held-march-16-1.2561973
http://lenta.ru/news/2014/03/06/crimea/
http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/05/russian-troops-not-in-control-of-crimea-says-lavrov/