Money intended for warplanes will be stolen, statement

The head of the public association “Moldova Mea” (“My Moldova”) Fiodor Ghelici in a news conference said that the money allocated for purchasing warplanes will be misused, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to Fiodor Ghelici, this money should be distributed to pension funds, not stolen for the election campaign that will precede the early legislative elections. “I want to say that this money, taken from the people, will be used by the authorities to extend the budgets of their parties. From economic viewpoint, this is nothing else but theft. This money should be better given to pensioners – by 100 lei to each pensioner,” said Fiodor Ghelici. He also said that other countries look ironically at Moldova’s plans to purchase warplanes as it is a small country and does not need such aircraft. “The lawmakers do not know what fighting in a war means. We are a small county and do not pose threats to other countries. If somebody wants to conquer Moldova, they can do it easily. If a warplane entered Moldova’s airspace, they would do it swiftly and no soldier would be able to do something,” said Fiodor Ghelici. According to publicist Constantin Chernat, about US$60,000 is needed yearly to maintain such a plane. “This sum includes the examination works, fuel, etc. Besides, the airdrome must be maintained and the personnel must be paid. The costs will amount to about 1 million lei for one plane,” he stated. The decision to buy eight warplanes and eight military helicopters was passed by the lawmakers of the Alliance for European Integration on February 17. A sum of US$240 million will be needed for the purpose.