Opposition accuse Government of blocking Russian aid to Gagauzia, leadership retorts it is confusion

The opposition MPs accuse the government of blocking the Russian aid for the Gagauz autonomy. At the same time, the country’s leadership states it is a matter of confusion. At a meeting with the deputy secretary of the Russian Supreme Security Council, Yuri Zubakov, President Vladimir Voronin pleaded for stepping up the delivery of the donation, Info-Prim Neo reports. The president of the Social Democratic party, MP Dumitru Braghis, asked, on Thursday, March 6, to call Prime-Minister Vasile Tarlev onto the Parliament’s floor to explain the refusal of receiving the humanitarian aid granted by the Russian Federation to liquidate the last summer drought consequences. Yet the Communist majority MPs rejected the proposal. Dumitru Braghis has told journalists the Government’s refusal to get the donation will affect the relationships between R. Moldova and Russia and can trigger breakaway intentions in the Gagauz autonomy. “No exaggeration. We can call these actions genocide against the Gagauz population,” Braghis said. He believes both the Government and the ruling party, under these circumstances, have reconfirmed their basic concern is not to solve the citizens’ problems, but to stay in power at any means. Other political parties either have accused the government of bad intention and political interest related to the humanitarian aid from Russia during this week. According to a communique from the Presidency, the donation topic was discussed at the meeting of the head of the state with the Russian official Yuri Zubakov. The two have expressed their regret this issue has become artificially politicized and this so important deed of Russia is attempted to be used within the context of internal political events. Vladimir Voronin has pleaded for the soonest delivery of the aid to Moldova, including to the Gagauz autonomy. Yuri Zubakov has informed the Moldovan President the aid has started to be transported by rail-way. The Moldovan President expressed gratitude. Earlier the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a release stating its confusion with the actions of the Moldovan authorities, which proposed to grant the aid for Gagauzia at a later date. The communique underlined the Russian party planned to send the aid early in March. Moldova gave its consent to allow two Russian aircraft with aid to land in Chisinau. Later, because of unknown reasons, the Moldovan side revoked the agreement and suggested to bring the aid later.