UKRAINE-DONETSK SEPARATISTS REAX Pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk mull over Putin's decision to put off referendum

Record ID: 450885

  • Title: UKRAINE-DONETSK SEPARATISTS REAX Pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk mull over Putin's decision to put off referendum
  • Date: 7th May 2014
  • Summary: Pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk say they respect Russian President Vladimir Putin's call to postpone a vote on secession but remain defiant on their demands. RESENDING WITH FULL SCRIPT AND SHOWS SHOWS: DONETSK, UKRAINE (MAY 7, 2014) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. ALEXANDER KOFMAN HEAD OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF "SOUTH EAST" PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT 2. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) ALEXANDER KOFMAN, HEAD OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF "SOUTH EAST" PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT, SAYING: "With all due respect to Vladimir Putin, postponement of the referendum has to be discussed by the people's communities". 3. HANDS 4. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) ALEXANDER KOFMAN, HEAD OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF "SOUTH EAST" PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT, SAYING: "We have declared many times that Kiev junta must meet our conditions about ending the counter-terrorist operation, freeing political prisoners" 5. HANDS 6. SOUNDBITE (Russian) ALEXANDER KOFMAN, HEAD OF THE SECRETARIAT OF THE COORDINATION COMMITTEE OF "SOUTH EAST" PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT, SAYING: "The troops must return to their bases, all illegal armed units created after February 22nd, including Internal Ministry's and National Guard's special units must disarm. Only after that can we talk about postponement of the referendum. There are two days left for Kiev to meet these demands. If within two days they are not met we cannot talk about postponement of the referendum because it will already be taking place."
  • Embargoed: 22nd May 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ukraine
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVABNO9TMS3ACWVT9N7CQ6PIA1ZN
  • Story Text: A separatist leader in Donetsk, which is under the control of pro-Russians in east Ukraine, said on Wednesday (May 7) he respected the Russian President's call for them to postpone the planned May 11 referendum on the status of the region.
    Putin spoke after talks with the head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, who said the security and rights body would soon propose a "road map" to defuse the Ukraine crisis.
    The president also said he had withdrawn his troops from the border although there was no immediate confirmation they had moved.
    "With all due respect to Vladimir Putin, postponement of the referendum has to be discussed by the people's communities," said Alexander Kofman, head of the secretariat of the self-proclaimed 'South East People's Movement'.
    Separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk said they would consult on Thursday (May 8) with their members before making any decisions.
    Either way, he remained defiant and said Kiev must withdraw all their troops from the east before they would consider moving the date of the referendum.
    "We have declared many times that Kiev junta must meet our conditions about ending the counter-terrorist operation, freeing political prisoners," said Kofman.
    "The troops must return to their bases, all illegal armed units created after February 22nd, including Internal Ministry's and National Guard's special units must disarm. Only after that can we talk about postponement of the referendum. There are two days left for Kiev to meet these demands. If within two days they are not met we cannot talk about postponement of the referendum because it will already be taking place," he added.
    The White House said it was not enough to postpone the referendum and it must be cancelled.
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