Choice of Transdniestria status is a matter for region's people - President Shevchuk
TIRASPOL. June 19 (Interfax) - The right to determine Transdniestria's future belongs to residents of the self-proclaimed republic, Transdniestrian President Yevgeny Shevchuk said.
"The people themselves ought to determine Transdniestria's status. We know the citizens' will, which was expressed in several referenda. We have our own history and those who died defending our independence. We must continue their cause," Shevchuk said at a rally marking the 20th anniversary of the Bendery tragedy on Tuesday.
More than 90% of the Transdniestrian population supported the republic's independence from Moldova and its subsequent entry into Russia at a referendum on September 17, 2006.
Addressing the prospects for promoting relations between Tiraspol and Chisinau at the present stage, Shevchuk noted the presence of several unresolved disputes.
The initial reasons behind the conflict have not been dealt with, he said.
"The situation in bilateral relations is tense today. There are many conflict issues that have not been resolved yet. But what counts most is that the reasons behind the conflict have not been removed completely," he said.
Moldovan Army and police units entered the town of Bendery on June 19, 1992, triggering the most savage phase of the Moldovan-Transdniestrian conflict, which started in March 1992.
Fighting in Bendery claimed the lives of 489 Transdniestrian residents, among them 132 civilians, including five children. Up to 1,242 Transdniestrian people were injured, among them 698 civilians, including 13 children.
The hostilities ended when Russia's 14th Army stepped in.
