Mihai Ghimpu concerned that Moldovan soldiers could faint at Moscow parade

Seventy Moldovan military men will take part in the Victory Parade in Moscow's Red Square on May 9, when it will be 65 years of the victory in the Second World War. Acting President Mihai Ghimpu said he was imposed to take this decision by the members of the Alliance for European Integration. Earlier, he announced that the Moldovan soldiers will remain at home, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a news conference on Friday, Mihai Ghimpu said 2/3 of the members of the Alliance voted in favor of sending soldiers to the parade. “Moldova has not been invited to this parade. Only the Ministry of Defense received such an invitation on March 24. The invitation must be issued to the state, not the ministry. We are no longer a republic of the USSR,” Mihai Ghimpu said, adding he was personally invited to participate in the parade by the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev several months ago, but the invitation said nothing about military men. Mihai Ghimpu explained that he did not want the Moldovan soldiers to go to Moscow because they do not have enough time to prepare. Russia started to prepare for the march three months ago. “As I was elected Head of Parliament by the members of the Alliance, I had to comply with this decision,” he said. The Ministry of Defense will start preparing for the parade from today. In a week, the Moldovan military men will go to Moscow for rehearsals. “It's not enough time. I'm afraid we can bring shame on our country. I pray to God to help them so that they do not faint there and present themselves honorably,” Mihai Ghimpu said. Earlier, the Communists Party criticized the Alliance for European Integration for refusing to send soldiers to Moscow and offered to cover the related costs estimated at about 400,000 lei. “The Communists should better return the money that they stole so that we could pay pensions and salaries,” Mihai Ghimpu said. He also said he will go to Moscow on May 8, when the informal summit of the CIS heads of state will take place.