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                 On The Scene: VOA's Elizabeth Arrott in Crimea

   by VOA News

   VOA Correspondent Elizabeth Arrott arrived in Crimea Friday and
   described the scene at the airport where about a dozen people in
   unbranded military uniforms are keeping watch at Simferopol airport in
   the southern Crimea region.

   The soldiers, who appear to be special forces of some sort, are
   maintaining a professional demeanor, but wear no insignia or anything
   that would identify who they represent.
   They appear to be carrying modern and heavy weaponry, giving the
   impression of being professional soldiers. However, who they are
   remains a mystery.
   The soldiers are not an outwardly menacing presence. The airport
   remains open and flights are coming in.
   The soldiers are standing guard and marching outside in an apparent
   show of force.
   Crimea is traditionally sympathetic toward Russia and many welcome the
   military presence at the airport. Many here see the upheaval in Kyiv as
   an armed insurrection responsible for last week's ouster of a
   legitimately elected pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych.
   Meanwhile, parliament is working on economy issues and the situation in
   Kyiv.
   The Russians already have an active presence near the Sevastopol
   airport, which is in a special base area leased to Russia for its Black
   Sea Fleet.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/on-the-scene-voas-elizabeth-arrott-in
   -crimea-/1861242.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/on-the-scene-voas-elizabeth-arrott-in-crimea-/1861242.html