Officials in the Crimean capital tried with mixed success Saturday to put a professional face on arrangements for the hastily planned referendum on joining
Russia, and they shifted the tone of their message from overtly
pro-Russian propaganda to messages and events that stressed the
democratic legitimacy of the poll.
Jumbotron broadcasts that had been touting the glories of life in Russia all week switched to more neutral messages that called on voters to "defend Crimea" against the threat of Nazism by participating in the poll. Pictures of German World War II helmets were juxtaposed with happy images of children, flowers and butterflies.
Several people within earshot of the broadcasts said that they thought the Nazi threat was being overdone but that they planned to vote to be reunited with Russia in any case. A carpenter had constructed a long banner that passersby were signing with phrases such as "We are not anyone's puppets, we are Titans!" and "NATO go to hell!"
Read more: As vote held in Ukraine's Crimea, allegations of poll rigging, intimidation - Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news
Jumbotron broadcasts that had been touting the glories of life in Russia all week switched to more neutral messages that called on voters to "defend Crimea" against the threat of Nazism by participating in the poll. Pictures of German World War II helmets were juxtaposed with happy images of children, flowers and butterflies.
Several people within earshot of the broadcasts said that they thought the Nazi threat was being overdone but that they planned to vote to be reunited with Russia in any case. A carpenter had constructed a long banner that passersby were signing with phrases such as "We are not anyone's puppets, we are Titans!" and "NATO go to hell!"
Read more: As vote held in Ukraine's Crimea, allegations of poll rigging, intimidation - Today's Zaman, your gateway to Turkish daily news
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