Early results from an independence referendum in Tatarstan indicate that voters ovewhelmingly ignored Russian President Boris Yeltsin's appeal that they reject it.
Even opponents of independence predicted passage of the referendum.Results released early today by Tatarstan election commission member Anvar Bagaudinov showed the referendum winning by a wide margin. With five of Tatarstan's 60 voting regions reporting, the referendum was being approved by more than 70 percent; two of the regions gave it more than 90percent approval.
In a televised address on the eve of the Saturday vote, Yeltsin said the referendum was aimed at secession and could lead to ethnic violence.
But Tatarstan's president denied any plans to secede. He said the region was trying to gain control over its oil and other natural resources to give its people a better life.
"We have never raised the issue of seceding from the Russian Federation and advocate the closest union with it," Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiyev told reporters after casting his ballot.
Voters appeared to agree.
"We have given all our wealth to Russia for kopecks. We want to keep more of it. But we do not want to break away from anyone," said Anas Akhmedzhanov, a retired tractor driver casting his ballot in Kazan, capital of the territory, 500 miles east of Moscow.
Turnout was heavy. Two hours before the polls closed at 10 p.m., 79 percent of the 2.5 million eligible voters had cast ballots, according to the Tatarstan Election Commission.
But because the votes were to be counted by hand, preliminary results were not expected until today.
Tatarstan is one of 20 so-called "autonomous" republics inhabited by ethnic minorities in the Russian Federation. In the past, they were autonomous in name only. Many Tatars believe it is time they gained control over taxes, trade and industry within their borders.