<div dir="ltr"><h1 style="font-size:16pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Crimea - temporarily occupied territory</h1><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">
<strong>Ukrainian Amateur Radio League </strong>(UARL) on 3rd May 2014 appealed to ARRL in letter (<a href="http://uarl.org.ua/load/zvernennja_lru_v_arrl/13-1-0-387" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(0,51,102);text-decoration:none">http://uarl.org.ua/load/zvernennja_lru_v_arrl/13-1-0-387</a>) consider the information regarding the status of Crimea as temporarily occupied territory:</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">Ukrainian Amateur Radio League (UARL) have thoroughly studied the decision of the DXCC Committee in regards of current DXCC credit criteria for the contacts with Amateur Radio stations located in Crimea, Ukraine and would like to express its official position on this situation.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">We strongly believe that the illegal referendum held in Crimea on March 16, 2014 and subsequent illegal annexation of the Crimea peninsula by the Russian Federation does not change the status of this territory, which legally belongs to Ukraine. The Government of Ukraine (and vast majority of the countries in the World) still considers Crimea as the territory of sovereign Ukraine.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">We believe that while determining country and territory status for DXCC credit, the ARRL takes into consideration the official views of the United Nations and US Department of State, as stated in the DXCC award rules.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">In accordance with the resolution of UN General Assembly on March 27, 2014 (#68/262), the UN does not recognize the annexation of the Crimea by the Russian Federation. In addition, the President, The Congress and Department of State of the United States of America are currently working actively to preserve the territorial integrity of Ukraine.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">In addition, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe during its meeting on April 3, 2014 addressed the situation in Ukraine, including the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russian Federation. Its decision clearly stated that the illegal referendum that was held in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and The City of Sevastopol on March 16, 2014 and the illegal annexation of this part of Ukraine by the Russian Federation could not be the basis for any changes in their status and State Legal Affiliation.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">Press Secretary of the White House announced the following statement regarding the Crimea issue: "The United States has steadfastly supported the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine since it declared its independence in 1991, and we reject the "referendum” that took place today in the Crimean region of Ukraine. This referendum is contrary to Ukraine’s constitution, and the international community will not recognize the results of a poll administered under threats of violence and intimidation from a Russian military intervention that violates international law.”[1]</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">United States Ambassador to the United Nations has confirmed the position of the Department of State regarding Ukraine: "What happened in Crimea cannot be recognized as valid. We must stand together denying recognition and imposing consequences for this illegal act.”[2]</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">The Ukrainian Parliament adopted the Law "On ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens and legal regime on the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine", which confirms sovereignty of Ukraine and defines the status of Crimea and Sevastopol as temporarily occupied territory. Acting President of Ukraine, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov signed this Law of Ukraine &#8470; 1207-VII so it entered into legal force.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">ITU is a subdivision of the United Nations and in accordance with ITU regulations Ukraine is responsible for the usage of radio frequencies in Crimea and only Ukraine issues permits for radio stations. Radio stations that use call signs and permits issued by the Russian [i]Federation in Crimea are unlicensed. Despite the fact that Crimea is temporary occupied territory, National Commission for the State Regulation of Communications and Informatization guided by the Ukrainian laws and ITU regulations issues permits for amateur radio stations.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">In respect that the ARRL is the founder and organizer of a number of award programs and competitions, in which millions of radio amateurs of the world are participating, please consider the information above in the conditions of meeting award requirements, as well as in determining the winners of competitions held.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium"> </p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">Thank you,</p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium">
Sincerely</p><p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:medium"><strong><em>V.Grishchenko, UT0FT</em></strong><br>President of UARL</p></div>