26.04.09

Continuation of "anti-communist" disturbances is expected in Kishinev, the capital of Moldova. Internet web sites posted appeals made in the name of parties of the opposition to join protest actions Friday and put an end to the Communist Party's rule. This time, however, the authorities are prepared to use force to disperse the protesting crowds at the slightest hint of trouble. Moscow offered the Moldovan authorities its assistance, according to what information Kommersant has compiled. A plane from Russia with special equipment used for mob-control by law enforcement agencies landed in Kishinev this Wednesday.

The Moldovan Central Electoral Commission published results of the parliamentary election on Wednesday night. According to official estimates, the Communist Party polled 49.4%, Liberal Party 13.14%, Liberal Democratic Party 12.43%, and Our Moldova alliance 9.77%. Despite expectations, the news failed to excite a new wave of violence. Some protesters kept making speeches on the central square in Kishinev, closely watched by law enforcement agencies. As a matter of fact, the authorities are now resolved to prevent mass disturbances of the kind that occurred in the capital this Tuesday.

Arrests of opposition leaders continue. Sergei Mokanu, formerly foreign political advisor to President Vladimir Voronin, was taken into custody. This Tuesday, Mokanu had been seen in the crowd breaking into the presidential administration building. The Interior Ministry also reported arrest of Natalia Morar, journalist of the Russian weekly The New Times expelled from Russia and head of the Think Moldova foundation. What information is available to Kommersant, however, indicates that Morar is actually out of prison.

Voronin already promised "no other Tuesday" and instructed special detachments of the police guarding the government building and the TV center to use force if and when necessary. The president of Moldova appears to have secured Moscow's support. As of April 6, he has been faithfully calling President Dmitry Medvedev every day in order to "exchange opinions on the situation in Moldova" (according to the presidential press service).

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the slogans screamed in Kishinev yesterday and the day before yesterday (unification with Romania - Kommersant) disturbed Moscow greatly. "These slogans plainly show that the raiders were after Moldovan statehood itself," Lavrov said. "We drew the EU's attention to the matter. We hope that the European Union and the Romanian leadership that condemned the violence (in Kishinev - Kommersant) will take steps to prevent the use of Romanian flags and pro-Romanian slogans for destruction of Moldovan statehood." Lavrov added that the loss of statehood by Moldova would grant the Trans-Dniester region the right to self-determination.

Russia's aid to Moldova in the meantime exceeds the boundaries of moral support. A source in the international airport in Kishinev said an IL-76 from Ramenskoye near Moscow had landed there on Wednesday morning. The plane was said to have brought some "dangerous cargo". Whether or not the Moldovan authorities need this kind of aid from Russia will become clear later today.

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Source: Kommersant