Transcripts For LINKTV Journal 20140301

The crisis in crmea is deepening by the hour. Ukraines interim government is accusing russia of sending in thousands of troops. This as their pro russian leader and the Russian Parliament in moscow have both appealed publicly to president putin to intervene. These calls come despite a warning from washington saying any immigrantry moves by russia will have costs. Ore after this report. These heavily armed units have surrounded the main airport. They decide who gets in and who does not. The soldiers wear no insignature in as and refuse to say who is giving them orders. But the Ukrainian Government has no doubt. It says russia has sent in thousands of troops. The interim president in kiev calls it an invasion. And he directed his remarks to the man he holds responsible. President putin. I personally direct putin with the demand he end the provocation and call back the troops. The europeans and americans are also highly suspicious of russias military action. U. S. President barack obama said he was deeply concerned and sent a clear warning to moscow. Any violation of ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilizing and indeed the United States will stand with the International Community in affirming there will be cost force any military intervention in ukraine. Considering a boycott of junes summit in sochi. That would be a serious diplomatic affront to the kremlin. They reject all allegations. There could be no question of a military intervention says moscows ambassador to the u. N. Of course as you know we have an agreement with ukraine on the presence of the Russian Black Sea fleet or the base and were acting within the framework of that agreement. The Ukrainian Government sees things differently. It fears losing control especially since the local autmuss government is now appealing to russia to intervene. Recognizing my responsibility for the lives and the security of the people, i ask russian president putin to offer assistance in providing peace and order in the territory of the autmuss republic. So at the moment all signs point to confrontation. The Ukrainian Government has placed its troops on high alert and wants to show that it will not bow to the provocations from russia. Or theres talk of thousands. Well, there are reports that Russian Troops are on move throughout and i show pictures shot by ukrainian News Agencies showing russian vehicles patrolling some villages nearby. And there are reports that another airport in the region was seized by armed men. Here in the city center, the situation has changed as well. The governmental area was shut down for all traffic into, its even difficult for pedestrians to get into the build wrg heavy armed men took up positions. We dont have any official confirmation about the identity but the equipment, the very the behavior and the vehicles all signal that they must belong to a very welltrained military unit. So we can assume that they are russian soldiers. And at the same time, we saw in our report the leader, a pro russian figure himself, has publicly appealed to russia to help and also brought forward this planned referendum on the future. Within ukraine. These look like the actions of somebody who is preparing to try and break away from ukraine under russian protection. Is that how it looks to you . Yes, indeed. He was appointed the Prime Minister only a few days ago and he leads the main pro Russian Party here. A party whose members have always claimed that they want crimia to be a part of russia. And it could be of course that now he is using this situation to make russia interfere. And just briefly, what do ordinary people think . Do you think they would supported a move to leave ukraine . Well, as you know there are many people who are very pro russian and there are a lot of demonstrations going on, pro russian demonstration. And people i talk to told me that they are very happy that there are soldiers, that here they feel protected and that they hope that it could become a part of russia. But that is not what all people here think. Many people told me also that they just want more rights but they dont want the region to break away from ukraine. And there, its also a type of minority here and the head of this minority has appeared on television calling for all sides to get to negotiations and calling for the armed men to pull out. Well have to leave it there. Thanks so much. Well be coming back throughout the course of the day. Lets cross over to moscow now where events are moving fast. Joining us on the line from our studios there, within the past hour the dumea has called on president putin to take measures to stabilize crimea. What does that mean . Its going to ratchet up further and further . Well, it doesnt make it since putin is nt known to take orders or direction from the parliament. Wever, this recent statement shows that georgia the military conflict between georgia and russia. As we heard also, the pro Prime Minister asked putin for help and during the last phase russianstate tv has shown many people asking for russian support. So if russia wants to they could use force to legitimize an intervention especially in the eyes of their own citizens. Because even though Many Russians feel that it belongs to their country theyre worried about a broader conflict with ukraine, a country they feel very close to. The Foreign Ministry did put out a statement this morning. Didnt it . Saying it is extremely concerned about events. Explain moscows point of view. The official russian view is that the moment that nothing like an intervention is going on. This is also what we hear from statements from the Russian Foreign min city. Theyre mainly responding to provocations. Theyre saying were trying to keep the interior ministry and stress theyre in the interest of the many ethnic russians and acting in accordance with the agreement. In general, its very important to russia and seen russia is still hoping that with increasing the pressure on the government, will let go because for russia its losing ukraine as a strategycal partner was bad. Now also losing crimea would be the wost scenario. So theyre willing to risk a lot. Huge amount at stake. As we saw that message from balm quite strong wording trying to warn off russia. How far do you think moscow thinks it can go . Well, president putin and his foreign minister, theyre not known for fearing responses when it comes to foreign policy. Talking with too many voices, therefore not really being taken serious. From the russian perspective, president obama long lost his ability to incriminate. When he first drew that infamous red line in the conflict in syria and then the fact that he didnt act in accordance with his former statement when chemical weapons were used didnt help his credibility here. So they dont fear any response from the u. S. And probably russia at the moment isnt really concerned with what everyone like around them is saying. Thank you very much. Of course we will keep you up to date with events in crimea but lets move on to other news. Separate groups say it is putting its arsenal of weapons under seal and out of operational use. The statement published follows a disarmment pledge made earlier this month. Releasing footage showing militants turning in guns but the measure has been met with skepticism. They announced an end in 2011 but refused to demand by disbanned. Theyre blamed for the deaths of more than 800 people and classed as a terrorist group. Europes gearing up for elections in the European Parliament and the grouping is kicking off its campaign. Naming schultz as its lead candidate. He could become the next head but first he has to drum up interest among voters the last time a turnout was well under 50 . Martin schultz already has one of the top jobs in brussels. As president of the europe pearn parliament hes regularly called on lawmakers to be proactive whether on budget issues or banking reform. Above all he says he wants to restore peoples faith in the eu as an organization that supports social justice. I want to fight to regain trust in one thing, that the richest part of the world is able to distribute the wealth. In a more fair and just way. Between countries and between people. Shilts was on the receiving end of a verbal attack in 2003. The then italian Prime Minister said he would recommend him for the role of a nazi prison guard in a film. At that stage, schultz had already been a member of pean parliament for five years. His roots help give him a european perspective. One of his proudest moments came in 12i when the eu was awarded the noble peace prize. Now hes hoping to play an even greater role in european politics. On to sports now. A home game. A week home side verses a feeble away team. Players exchanged friendly gestures after a tame match in which neither side drew blood. Scoring opportunities like this were a rare sight. Bad passes and attention lapses marked the match. In the second half, the best chances for the berl iners sharing the points benefited. Its especially predarius for figering remaining in the drop zone. Its been a tough week. They suffered a 61 by madrid and today they face a bye in munich. Wednesdays debacle has left them reeling. Fridays practice featured mostly Second String players going through the motions while starters nursed injuries sustained against the spanish giants. The coach now faces the sobering prospect of cobbling a side to face their own giants. Im not blaming any individual. We werent functioning as a team. The same could apply against bien. Their flagship side has been playing a brand of football of perfection. They opened up a gaping lead in the table and on saturday are aiming to match the club record of 15 wins in a row. They have grown even more commanding with the ball. Watching them play against the big clubs theyve become even more dominant and are just as fast and dangerous as real. They click as a team. Given their onslaught, he suggested positioning the pass in front of the goal. A bit of gallos humor in a situation that for she will ker is anything but funny. Thats it for us but more on crimea throughout the day. Thanks for watching. These men have just received a call and need to move out fast. Theyre part of the selfdefense force in western ukraine. For now, theyre the authority here. Having driven out politicians and police loyal to the former got. Ill be riding along on their atrol. He is clearly on edge as we race through the city at 100 kilometers an hour. Hes barely slepped in days and pushed himself to his limit. He tells me about the callout. He says the casino was attacked. They will be making sure no one gets hurt and nothing is plundrd. But theyre too late. The perpetrators are long gone. Whether criminals or residents venting anger, he cant say. He secures the building and places it under guard. He is a lawyer by profession, not a policeman. But these are extraordinary times. He says the selfdefense force is needed until the situation is stabilized and the police can resume control. But that can only happen after the police ranks have been scrutinized and sanitized. Police headquarters, this is where the opposition militia has set up their command center. From here, coordinating operations and maintaining contact with patrols. He says he was a journalist before the revolution. Now, he carries a gun and police it is city with other volunteers. He says in his country the Police Became robbers in the service of corrupt criminals. It was happening all over in eastern and western ukraine. Perhaps to a different extent but in principle it was the same everywhere. The publics resentment towards the regime, the police and state fficials is still evident. This precinct was sacked by an angry mob. The police who worked here have long fled. The selfdefense force is now guarding the building. He is on the night watch. For months the opposition activists protested on kievs independent square against the government of the ousted president. He says its his duty to bring about a new ukraine. He says if we dont do it, who will . Who will change the ukrainian state . He respects europe and the u. S. But ukrainians have to establish order themselves. The time has come, he says. Weve waited long enough for political change. The country has been continually pushed in the wrong direction since independence. The next morning, in his old town at first glance the citys Historic Center has changed little from my previous visits. But the recent upheavel in the country has left deep scars. Just a few streets from the city hall i find candles, flowers, and a wall of photographs. People here told me these men were heroes who gave their lives for a free ukraine. They were shot during the antigovernment protesting in kiev. This woman says she hopes ukraine will become the kind of country that these young men dreamed of. She says her generation built a country ruled by communists and olgogs. That didnt help anyone. This man says their deaths should never be forgotten. Ukraine has to solve its economic crisis and see to it that the ruling class is completely replaced. But the country has a long and difficult road ahead. That was clear when i visited these barracks for interior troops. As the power struggle between the pro Europe Opposition and government supporters escalated, it was attacked by protesters. The acting commander says they didnt open fire. Even when the mob demand that had they hand over their weapons. They wanted to take over the armory. Luckily, reason won out in the end. A passer by interrupts. Are you lying to the cameras she shouts . The soldiers should head to kiev and put down the revolt. It shows how difficult any process of reconciliation will be in ukraine. Later that evening, i meet again with andre. He invited me to his home before heading off to kiev. While his wife makes sandwich force the trip, he swaps messages on facebook with protesters still occupying Independence Square. The revolution isnt over, he says. It will only be over when weve replaced the entire political class. And by that, he also means opposition leaders who were in power after the orange revolution. Thats being demanded. Buses to kiev still depart every evening. For the past month, theyve shuttled opposition activists like andre to the capital. The free service is mainly inanced by their nation. I ride along for the 500 kilometers through western ukraine. Andre and the others strike up a folk song. The months of tension appear to melt away. The journey has all the atmosphere of a school excursion. And no one seems ready to sleep. Our Early Morning destination isnt Independence Square but the president ial residence, 15 kilometers outside kiev. Its become same bol of corruption among ukraines political elite. Andre and the other activists walk around the 140 hector grounds. It was only after he fled that ordinary ukrainians were allowed to look inside here. Before that, it was strictly off imits to the public. Andre says hes proud that all this is being taken away fromian covepive but hes also ashamed they allowed him to steal so much. He says no one in the world has stolen so much from his people to build Something Like this. He says no one else should ever live here. Ukraines new president has to be different from all others. They should get an income thats equal to a munl. Around 100 euros minimum wage. Around 100 euros. I ask whether any ukrainian politician would be prepared to make that sacrifice. Andre also has his doubts. He says theyre waiting for new fresh personalities. Activists who have made a name for themselves. He has no faith in opposition politicians. We finally reach Independence Square. Many protesters are still camped out here. Theyre refusing to leave until theyre sure their fight is won and their dream of a european kraine is a reality. Andre poses in front of the photos of the protesters shot down. A friend was among those killed. He says he mourns them. Those that he knew were the future of ukraine. They could have become the new elite to move the country forward. Their deaths will be the foundation on which they will build a new ukraine. Andre believes in the future of his homeland but others on the square fear for the unity of the country. Will the russians speaking accept the transition of power . And what will happen in crimea where russia exerts a Strong Influence . Of course there are risks, this man says. Even ordinary citizens dont dominate the discussions. But influential local clans who demand more aut money for the east. He says that worries him. This woman says no one wants the country to fall apart. But if things continue, if politicians only do what suits them it could happen. That worries many people here. According to this man, people in crimea are against jan cove yitch. They were too afraid to protest because they were intimidated threatened and beaten. Provided by the u. S. Department of education. Bokara ive been thinking about the meaning of life and the myths that give us each meaning in our individual lives and also in our lives as a culture and a society as a whole. And im concerned that right