Dispatches from TIRASPOL, April 16-2014/ITAR-TASS/:
—Ukraine
is becoming concerned over Transdniestria’s calls for independence —
—Transdniestrian
authorities ask Putin to initiate recognition of republic’s independence. A
majority of 97% voted in 2006 to join Russia Proper. —
—Russian
President Vladimir Putin proposes to intensify dialogue on the future of
Transdniestria —
 |
| A Russian separatist from Tiraspol, capital of the breakaway region Transdniestria, pictured on an APC during the 1992 conflict with the former Soviet republic of Moldova. Image from the series Post Communism 1989-2003 |
— “This is one of the most complicated
problems we’ve inherited after the collapse of the USSR—
—It
has a population of over half a million. People are very pro-Russian and there
are a very large number of Russian nationals—
—Armed
Ukrainian Nationalist formations have already been deployed to the border with
Transdniestria by Kiev. The situation should certainly be stopped as soon as
possible,” the Russian president said—
……..ends
This
is not the first call to Moscow authorities for recognition but Crimea’s re-unification
with Russia has now intensified the issue.
Tiraspol
lawmakers claim Transdniestria is legally similar to Crimea and that any
process towards reunification with Russia should follow the peninsula’s recent process
and procedures.
History
of the 1992 conflict:
The
Transdniestrian conflict started in March 1992. The first clashes occurred
between Moldovan police and Transdniestrian militia near the city of Dubossary,
which resulted in armed hostilities. By that summer, it developed into
large-scale fighting around the former Soviet closed city of Bendery. About a
thousand people were killed with tens of thousands made refugees.
The conflict
was stopped after a peace agreement was signed in Moscow in July 1992 with
Russian peacekeepers sent into the conflict area.
Situation
Today 2014:
Many
Moldovans, especially the elderly, are moving eastwards into Transdniestria,
prompted by lower energy costs, security and higher pensions.
Recently,
Several hundred people from the front line pro-Russian village of Dorotskoye, (situated
on the left bank of the Dniester river but under Moldovan authority), are
suggesting holding a referendum on accession to join the breakaway right bank Transdniestria
region.
Outcomes:
In
the following Spring/Summer weeks Kremlin confidence will surely expand, and
why not! Who in the West can attempt to stop a society voting to re-join a re-surging Russia!
Moldova
was impoverished because it failed to anticipate western intransigence when it
comes to dealing with the Bear. It separated itself from Russian industry and
influence.
Ukraine
faces the same painful outcomes to this EU fuelled crisis.
Russia
will take back its Soviet era loaned resources to former Republics, leaving
outer buffer zones of poor lands between itself and the West.
Lands
no-one wants or cares enough about to either finance or annex.
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