An initiative group, at the suggestion of the “Novaya Gagauzia” Movement, drafted a proposal to amend Article 13 of the Constitution of Moldova and give the status of second official language to Russian. The proposal was adopted at a national forum in Comrat on September 24. The movement's vice president Nicolae Telpiz, one of the leaders of the initiative group, has told Info-Prim Neo the proposal was accepted by 740 participants, who were mainly representatives of public associations of ethnic minorities. Nicolae Telpiz said the proposal will be put up for referendum after the initiative group collects signatures in support of the plebiscite and submits them to the Central Election Commission. “There are a number of formalities that we must go through. We now cannot say when the referendum will be held,” said Nicolae Telpiz. He denied politicians' accusations that this initiative is an electoral element. “The problem of Russian language is over 20 years old. It must have been solved long ago,” he added. The “Novaya Gagauzia” Movement is headed by the mayor of Comrat Nicolai Dudoglo. At least 320,000 signatures must be collected for the referendum to take place.