The Social-Political Movement “Ravnopravie” (“Equity”) has accused the government and, in particular, President Vladimir Voronin of preventing Russian humanitarian aid from reaching the Gagauz autonomy. The statement was made by Ravnopravie’s president Valeri Klimenko at a news conference on Wednesday, March 5, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to him, the southern part of Moldova, including Gagauzia, was affected the most by last summer’s drought, and in reaction to appeals made by Moldova’s central authorities, as well as Governor Mihail Formuzal, Russia decided to offer humanitarian aid worth about $50m. Klimenko claims that following Voronin’s order, the Moldovan government has turned down the aid, arguing that on the eve of elections (the autonomy will hold elections for its legislative body on March 16 – e.n.), this would unfairly advantage Mihail Formuzal and the candidates supported by him. “So, the aid that should have arrived between late February and early March is now gathering dust on shelves as the elderly and the children are famishing there”, Klimenko declared. He said this situation may alter Russia’s position on the Transnistria settlement. Transnistria, for its part, could altogether pull out of talks after learning from the ‘experience’ of Gagauzia, concluded Klimenko.