The executive power set protection mechanisms against so-called ‘color revolutions’. Interview with Vladimir Antiufeev, Transnistrian Minister of State Security

[- How will the relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol develop after the parliamentary elections in Moldova?] - The Communists that have governed Moldova during the past eight years made everything possible to enslave the Transnistrian population. Both the Communists and the Unionists pursue the same goal: to reduce Russia’s presence in the South-Western zone, where the Moldovan Transnistrian Republic is also situated, to zero. For us, the path to freedom and independence is long and difficult, but attainable. All the social forces must be mobilized. No matter how small the territory of Transnistria is, it cannot be defeated if clear objectives are set and the country’s internal unity is preserved. [- Can the administration in Tiraspol prevent protests like those that took place in Chisinau early in April?] - The world economic crisis that affected the economy of our country as well has a negative effect on the living standards of the people. The protests in the society are foreseeable. However, the Moldovan Transnistrian Republic was founded with the people’s will and the executive power set protection mechanisms against so-called ‘color revolutions’ – a continuous dialogue with the people. Also, the state security bodies keep under control all the attempts to cause negative phenomena in the republic. [- What do you think about the initiative to modify the constitution, which is treated differently in the political sphere?*] - As the military men, I support only the position of the president. As it is known, he rejected the amendments proposed by the deputies. *Info-Prim Neo Note: The bill for amending the constitution of the breakaway Transnistrian republic was passed in first reading on April 15. The proposed amendments ban the president, ministers and other executive authorities from holding other paid posts except the basic ones, carry out entrepreneurial activities or be members of parties and public organizations. It also suggests liquidating the post of vice president of the republic and allowing the candidates for the post of deputies in the Supreme Soviet to hold this post for 5 years, while those for member of district and town councils – for 3 years. “The strict vertical of power must be kept in the republic. We must not changed the form of government,” the Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov said, commenting on the initiative.