(THIS ARTICLE IS MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)
The so-called Crimean crisis started in Ukraine at the end of 2013, and was the trigger for the cooperation between Russia and Europe abruptly stopped. The West and the United States accused Russia of annexing Crimea, and from then on, Russian President Vladimir Putin adorned the front pages of Norwegian newspapers for months. The headlines indicated that Putin is the new dictator who will eventually rebuild a Russian empire. Our Western propaganda media has, by influencing the population for almost four years, made many feel a real fear of a Russian invasion of Norway.
Commander-in-Chief of NATO for Europe in Europe Curtis Scaparotti explained to the Senate in April 2016 that Russia must keep "all alternatives on the table". This also includes a military solution. The official NATO website lists arguments to substantiate and defend NATO's massive armaments along the Russian border. To avoid the one-sided information you have to look for a more nuanced image yourself.
Conversations with Crimean Tatars. In October last year we had the opportunity to travel with a German delegation to the Crimean peninsula. In total, we were 13 participants consisting of business people, politicians and the head of a cultural association. The invitation came from the "German national cultural autonomy of the Republic of Crimea" in cooperation with the Russian government. The leader of the Crimean Federation Jury Gempel himself is a member of the Simferopol parliament and the United Russia government, and of course has good contacts in the government both in Crimea and in Moscow.
The motivation for joining this tour – which Ukraine regards as illegal residence in their territory – are the following three questions that we would like to answer: 1) Are we in Norway informed in an objective way? 2) Why has over 90 percent voted for a reunion with Russia? 3) Are minorities suppressed or persecuted, as reported in multiple media?
Over the course of seven days we got to experience a mix of cultural tours with a tour of the Sevastopol fortress, visits to several World War II memorials and cemeteries, tourist attractions such as the Swallow empire in Yalta and political meetings with the government and diplomats. During the preparation of the tour, we were able to come up with wishes about what we would like to see or people we would like to talk to. Several participants, including us, had, among other things, a desire to talk to minorities such as Crimean Tatars, which in our media is portrayed as an oppressed people group on the Crimean peninsula.
We visited Eupatoria, and the day after, the cultural center for the Crimean Tatars in Bakhchisaray, we had the opportunity to talk to ordinary people both at a cafe and at an Armenian restaurant where we had dinner. The feedback from most of these was that they were satisfied with Crimea's reunification with Russia. The Crimean Tatars were pleased that the Russian Federation provided funds for the rehabilitation of old buildings, and that a new program provides land for all Tatars who return after being displaced under Stalin.
Even in a Ukrainian restaurant and with people on the street in Sevastopol, it was agreed that Crimea is Russian. Many were afraid of the consequences of a right-wing government in Kiev unless President Putin approved the reunification with Russia.
Proudly told the restaurant owners and dealers on the street that vegetables and fruits now come from their own production. Since the EU and Norway started with the sanctions, agriculture has had a formidable development, and large sums of money are invested in high quality dairy cattle, poultry and agriculture.
Most so-called experts who express themselves are affected in one way or another.
Wrong image. Ministers and members of the Moscow State Duma that we had met spoke openly that Crimea had always been Russian and that they would not go back to Ukraine again. Moscow can accept a neutrality of Ukraine, but not NATO membership. Annexation is, of course, the wrong term, as it is a dissolution or independence that is legitimized through a referendum.
International law is also not broken because it does not mention detachment, nor does it prohibit a separation, as this would restrict the self-determination of a people.
The trip to the peninsula has given us answers to some questions. We understand the situation in Crimea much better. Our conclusion is that we in Norway are not informed in an objective way through the media. Most so-called experts who express themselves are affected in one way or another. The people of Crimea have voted an overwhelming majority for inclusion in the Russian Federation because of their feelings for and strong ties to Russia. The pride and joy of a Russian travel pass and a ditto car number is great and visible everywhere.
Russia has suffered the greatest losses in liberating Europe from the Nazis, but without the same gratitude as England or the United States.
People from minorities we spoke with were pleased with the progress in recognition of their cultural heritage. Public investments made in buildings, mosques and infrastructure show the people that they and their culture are welcome, or at least belong to Crimea. We never experienced unpleasant moments on the peninsula. We also saw no soldiers or Russian extras cheering for Putin.
Understanding. The question is how we in Norway will relate to Russia in the future. We have a direct border with Russia and have been trading for many years. Russia has suffered the greatest losses in liberating Europe from the Nazis, but without gaining the same gratitude as England or the United States. What do we expect from Russia? We in Norway, who have had democracy for over 70 years, point our finger at a country that has gone from one regime to the next and has not been free for more than 25 years. Should we not show a little patience with Russia and their wishes and ideas? Is it in our Norwegian interest to exclude Russia, cancel trade and investment projects and build up massive NATO forces that just seem to be an open provocation?
That the phrase "Putin friend" is a curse word shows how far we have come. Do we not first have to understand the other in order to discuss disagreements?
Also read: "Crimea is Russian"
Weber and Rosenlund are working to form the association "People's Diplomacy" which will work with bilateral relations Norway – Russia.
