“Stumbling-language” in Moldavia

Political situation in Moldavia becomes hotter and hotter every day. The crisis was caused by the government’s intention to introduce obligatory studying of Russian language in schools and to change Romanian history to Moldavian history in school programme. Though opposition leaded by Christian People’s Democratic Party with Yury Roshka at the head opposes it. Meetings of nationalists have been lasting for about a month. Most of protesters are senior pupils and students, while their number makes several thousands, which is more than enough for such a small republic. Moldavian nationalists are obviously supported by neighbouring Romania. Though Romanian Prime-Minister Adrian Nestase said, while visiting Moscow, that Bucharest did not intend to meddle in internal affairs of Moldavia. Though, at the same time he noticed that Romania treasured Romanian language and its status very much, so if one said that there was separate Moldavian language, Bucharest could not neglect this fact. In other words, the Romanian Prime-Minister plainly supported Moldavian nationalists. In Bucharest, they do not want Russian influence upon Moldavia to be strengthened for many reasons: first of all, from historical and political. Romanian politicians have a dream to unite the two states into one. At the same time, Bucharest certainly understands that such unification costs much. Including, financial aspect of this problem. Romanian weak economy hardly can support pretensions of Romanian politicians. All the more that the issue of Transdniestria is still not settled. While without this, the two states cannot be united, otherwise, Romania can get neither to EU, nor to NATO. Are Romanians ready for such sacrifices? They are most likely not. Though they continue to support Moldavian nationalists. In the meantime, nationalist opposition that went into hysteric because of introducing Russian language’s teaching in Moldavian schools and because of its state status, brought Moldavia to a sad state within the years of its ruling. Conflict with Transdniestrian region, disintegration of economy, low living standard of the population – that was the nationalists’ heritage to today’s Moldavian government, which, apropos, also has not distinguished itself yet. For example, the situation around Transdniestrian region. There is not much progress here. Kishinev and Tiraspol still cannot start a constructive dialogue. The meeting in Bratislava was almost foiled, that should take place on February 19-20 and was organized through the mediation of Russia, Ukraine and OSCE. Moldavian Foreign Ministry spread a statement, declaring that Moldavia refused to send its representatives to the negotiations, because it finds them to be “senseless in the conditions when Tiraspol does not want to compromise.” Kishinev one more time accused Tiraspol of its intention to create an independent state and therefore to hamper settling the conflict. Moreover, there is a kind of dislike between Moldavian President V.Voronin and I.Smirnov, president of the so-called Dniestrian Republic. Though, what is really important for all conflicting sides that are problems of economical development. In Moldavia, nationalists protesting against Russian language could be of more benefit to their country if they occupy themselves with working out economical programmes to rescue Moldavian economy. They maybe do not have competent economists? At any rate, they cannot feed people with their meetings. P.S. According to recent reports, the Moldavian government introduced moratorium on obligatory studying Russian language at school. Oleg Artyukov PRAVDA.Ru

Translated by Vera Solovieva

Read the original in Russian: http://www.pravda.ru/main/2002/02/21/37417.html

Subscribe to Pravda.Ru Telegram channel, Facebook, RSS!

Author`s name Editorial Team
X