Kurultai to Decide who Crimean Tatars Will Support

The Crimean Tatars are going to decide whether or not to take part in the presidential elections at the regular session of Kurultai (national congress of the Crimean Tatars) to be held on October 1-3 in the Crimea. This decision was made by the latest Madjlis session.

The Day”s correspondent Tetiana KOROBOVA phoned chairman of the Madjlis of the Crimean Tatar People Mustafa Dzhemilev, who is now at home in Bakhchisaray, and asked him to answer some questions.

“Mustafa-agha, there have already been situations when Kurultai decided whom to vote for but left the people the right of a free choice.”

“A situation like this is possible but not very probable because of the danger of Reds coming to power.”

“This means you look to Leonid Kuchma as savior from the red threat?”

“No, we merely think Mr. Kuchma is better than those Reds.”

“But it would be logical for you if Hennady Udovenko were your candidate, for you were elected to the VR on the Rukh ticket.”

“It may be just this way in the first round. As for the second one, we shall see by the results. In general, Mr. Udovenko is the only candidate who clearly expresses his view of settling the Crimean Tatar problem.”

“And how are Refat Chubarov and you going to maneuver between the two Rukhs? Dzhemilev, as is known, sides with Udovenko and Chubarov with Kostenko.”

“But we are law-abiding people, and we know the Ministry of Justice decision that only Udovenko”s Rukh is legitimate. And Chubarov will be guided by the decisions of the Madjlis and Kurultai. But it is not ruled out, in theory, that Kurultai will opt for Kostenko, no matter how hard I may object. I do not rule out, either, that the congress may decide not to participate in the elections. But, in my opinion, this is not serious, given the danger of a left-wing revanche.”

“Are you not scared with the signs of totalitarianism and police-state rule under the current regime?”

“Nothing compares with the situation under Soviet power. We cannot say a totalitarian regime has already been established here.”

“Of course, this is not the end. Let us re-elect Kuchma and let him develop this course...”

“Well, many things can happen. It is very difficult to foresee what kind of steps Mr. Kuchma will take... He has done only one thing for the Crimean Tatars as of late: he was pressed into issuing a Decree which in fact recognizes the existence of the Madjlis. Otherwise, nothing is being done. We signed a protocol with the Crimean premier Kunitsyn after mass actions by the Crimean Tatars, and not a single item has been fulfilled! So we decided on Saturday to form an organizational committee for holding a Crimea-wide campaign.”

“Then another question: why do you need a regime and a power like this?”

“Well, we can at least press for a solution of problems without being sent immediately to madhouses and prison cells... We have a stable immunity against the Reds, we do not recall cheap sausages; so when the question is “either... or,” we”ve got no choice. But I repeat: it is too early to say today what decision Kurultai will make about participating in the presidential elections.”