Crimean referendum doesn't have a "No" option on the ballot paper

The interim Crimean government and their puppet master in the Kremlin are insulting the intelligence of the world, and more importantly the people of the Crimea, with their bogus referendum on the future of the area.

Bad enough that it is taking place in a rush and under Russian guns. Worse, there is no option on the ballot paper for those who want neither to become part of Russia nor for a big increase in Russian power to say so.

There is a limit to the options the West has to make this point - military intervention is certainly not one - but we must certainly use diplomatic means to express our opposition to what Russia is doing in the Ukraine.

The people of the area should be allowed to choose their own destiny freely. If that means joining Russia, so be it. But I see no evidence at all that President Putin is willing to give them that free choice.

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