A waiting game for Tatars who fled Crimea
- 10 years ago
They're homesick in Western Ukraine.
Crimean Tatars seeking refuge in the west just marked the 70th anniversary of Soviet leader Josef Stalin's deportation of their people.
After Russia's annexation of their home, they are pinning hopes on Sunday's election.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TATAR ACTIVIST, LYANA VILILYAYEVA, SAYING:
"Right now we are waiting for the elections. We will follow and listen to the decisions made by the heads of the government. I hope that things will begin to settle down and Crimea will return to Ukraine. It never left, but the occupation... we were in Crimea three days ago, but I don't feel comfortable there anymore because other people are now governing it."
One family that just left Crimea opened a restaurant. They prepare food that reminds them of home.
And they wait.
(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) TATAR ACTIVIST, FOUNDER OF 'SOS CRIMEA', ALIM ALIEV, SAYING:
"Crimean Tatars here have what you might call a 'luggage mindset'
Crimean Tatars seeking refuge in the west just marked the 70th anniversary of Soviet leader Josef Stalin's deportation of their people.
After Russia's annexation of their home, they are pinning hopes on Sunday's election.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) TATAR ACTIVIST, LYANA VILILYAYEVA, SAYING:
"Right now we are waiting for the elections. We will follow and listen to the decisions made by the heads of the government. I hope that things will begin to settle down and Crimea will return to Ukraine. It never left, but the occupation... we were in Crimea three days ago, but I don't feel comfortable there anymore because other people are now governing it."
One family that just left Crimea opened a restaurant. They prepare food that reminds them of home.
And they wait.
(SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) TATAR ACTIVIST, FOUNDER OF 'SOS CRIMEA', ALIM ALIEV, SAYING:
"Crimean Tatars here have what you might call a 'luggage mindset'