Ukraine warns of 'abyss' as rebel east approaches self-rule vote

Barricades of tires and scrap metal blocked streets in the port city of Mariupol and in Slaviansk, centers of an uprising that has unleashed the worst crisis between the West and Russia since the Cold War. There was a clash between army and rebels near Slaviansk late on Saturday, but fighting had largely abated.

For a vote on which so much hangs, the referendum in the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, which has declared itself a "People's Republic", seems a decidedly ad hoc affair.

Ballot papers have been printed with no security provision and the meaning of the question - asking voters if they support state 'self-rule' for the People's Republic of Donetsk - is, perhaps deliberately, unclear.

Some see in it endorsement of autonomy within Ukraine, some a move to independence and others a nod to absorption by Russia in the wake of Crimea, which Moscow annexed in March.

Annexation is favored by the more prominent rebels, but the ambiguity may reflect their fears a full break would not garner enough support.

The eastern uprising followed the toppling in February of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich, whose pursuit of ties with Moscow stirred mass protests by pro-Western activists in Kiev.

Rebels seized government and police buildings in the east with very little resistance from security forces Kiev says had been undermined by years of neglect and corruption under successive leaders.

But in recent days, Ukrainian forces have been striking back with shows of force especially in Mariupol, an important industrial and shipping centre. The interior ministry said 20 rebels were killed in fighting on Friday, while hospitals put the number of dead at seven.

Russia denies Western and Ukrainian accusations it has fostered the rebellion. It portrays the Kiev government as hostage to violent anti-Russian nationalists, intent on rooting out the culture and language of the Russian-speaking east.

ROUND TABLE

Acting president Turchinov is attempting to bring eastern political forces into a round table to discuss federal devolution, but says he will not deal with rebel leaders with blood on their hands.

He said secession from Ukraine "would be a step into the abyss for these regions... Those who stand for self-rule do not understand that it would mean complete destruction of the economy, social programs and life in general for the majority of the population."

The loss of Ukraine's coal and steel belt, which accounts for some 16 percent of national GDP, would be a severe loss for Kiev.

"A dreadful terror is in train with the support of a large part of the local population," Turchinov said. "It is a complex problem when a population deceived by (Russian) propaganda support terrorists."

Sunday's vote is going ahead despite a call by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to postpone it - a move that briefly raised hopes for an easing of tension. Western leaders have accused Putin of destabilizing Ukraine, and Washington criticized as 'provocative' a trip he made to Crimea on Friday.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande said on Saturday they would back further sanctions against Russia - including in energy, defense and financial services - if Ukraine's May 25 presidential election failed to go ahead because of disruption in the east.

Kiev sees the election as a way of securing full democratic legitimacy following Yanukovich's flight to Moscow.

STREET BARRICADES

In the rebel bastion of Slaviansk, most roads were blocked off with barricades of felled trees, tires and old machinery.

Nikolai Mikolaichuk, a businessman who had paid out of his own pocket to buy materials to build voting booths, was overseeing their construction in the town's Lenin Palace of Culture.

"Everyone here is volunteering in their own way. No one's being paid... This referendum is for all of us," he said. "The Donetsk People's Republic is going to be its own country, with its own government, laws, even an Olympic team."

While most of the physical infrastructure appeared ready for the referendum, there appeared to be some confusion among residents about the choice they were being asked to make.

"What are the options? I'm for peace," ethnic Azeri market-seller Assan Assanov said, standing behind piles of potatoes and spring onions.

"That means you're for the republic," the woman at the neighboring stall told him.

Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, hardline rebel mayor of Slaviansk, said he expected a 100 percent turnout in the referendum.

Voting is from 8 a.m. (0500GMT) to 10 p.m. (1900 GMT). The ballots will then be counted overnight and results sent to Donetsk in the morning.