Crimea passes bill on referendum on peninsula's affiliation
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SIMFEROPOL. Nov 22 (Interfax) – Crimea has adopted a bill on a referendum on the peninsula's status – to belong to Russia or Ukraine or to declare its independence.
A total of 151 people voted for the bill and three against, with two abstentions, at the Friday session of the Supreme Council of the Crimean Autonomous Republic.
A number of deputies suggested asking the USSR president to denounce the decision for Crimea to join Ukraine, however, this proposal was rejected. Another proposal was made to hold a referendum on Crimea's future immediately, but this was also rejected, since the bill takes effect on the day of its publication.
It is expected that the bill will be published within a week.