Leader of Moldovan communists proposes republic status for Transdniestria
CHISINAU. July 23 (Interfax) - Leader of the opposition Party of Communists Vladimir Voronin has proposed the status of a republic within Moldova for Transdniestria.
Voronin told the Moldovan press that Transdniestria should be a republic within Moldova rather than an autonomous region.
"This is my position and my initiative," said Voronin, who had two terms as president in Moldova from 2001-2009.
As to the possible change of the status of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia in the case Transdniestria obtains the status of a republic, Voronin said the current conditions "are sufficient for its [Gagauzia] normal development as a part of Moldova."
The Party of Communists leader also explained the reasons for intensified activity of European Union officials in regard to Moldova. "They do not care about Moldova or Transdniestria. They simply want to isolate [themselves] from Ukraine and Russia along the Dniester River. This is what Brussels really wants. Our territorial integrity problem has been unsettled for 22 years and now the Europeans have finally woken up," Voronin said.
An independent expert, former Moldovan Ambassador to the United States, Nicolae Chirtoaca, believes that the Communist leader shares responsibility for the unsettled territorial problem.
"What Moldovan politician other than Vladimir Nikolayevich Voronin could constructively solve the Transdniestrian problem within eight years of his presidency, especially as he was born there?" the expert wondered.
"It is obvious to any sensible person that the problem is not about the status of the eastern region, "a republic", "an autonomous unit" or "a confederation." The problem is how these notions are supported with power and how the powers are divided," Chirtoaca told Interfax.
He also said he was concerned about the idea of the co-existence of two republics "with asymmetric powers within one state."
"Moldova has been there before and we have made our mistakes. We should hardly do that again," he said.
In his opinion, the Party of Communists leader known for his eccentric comments "is simply laying bricks of the promised velvet revolution."