Russia provides to Transnistria a loan of USD 150 mln for organizing the referendum

The Transnistrian authorities agreed with the Russian Federation upon a loan of USD 150 mln, pledging the enterprises of the military compound, the so-called deputy minister of industry of the region, Iuri Ganin, announced in an interview in Ukraine. According to him, the credits will be provided in 2 installments, and Tiraspol hopes to get them in August. According to Ganin, „the Russian credit is directed at "stabilizing the situation of the republic’s industry ", shaken as result of "the economic blockade imposed to Transnistria by Ukraine and Moldova". The Transnistrian armament enterprises, now supervised by Russian troops, are concentrated mainly in Tighina, town situated on the right bank of Nistru and occupied by the separatists. Those five plants, among them "Pribor" and "Electroapparatnii", produce weapons such as AK and AKM guns, anti-tank grenade lancers and mine lancers. On September 17, the Transnistrians will be questioned within the referendum regarding the independence of the region and joining Russia. The European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as the USA have denounced from the beginning this sixth attempt of the separatists of Tiraspol to institute independence.