The public association “Border Guards Association” of the Republic of Moldova firmly condemns the undesirable actions of representatives of the National Unity Party (PUN), who try to distort the importance and moral value of the initiative to erect a commemorative monument in the Park “Selecția” of the municipality of Balti, According to representatives of the association, the unfounded accusations made by representatives of this political party and the attempts to distort the historical truth by associating this initiative with the NKVD troops harmed the feelings and dignity of about 50,000 people of the Republic of Moldova, who, starting with 1991, had done the military service in the Border Guards Service and the Border Police.
In a news conference at IPN, Oleg Fediko, chairman of the public association “Border Guards Association”, said that their organization is apolitical and nonprofit and was founded by the free association of private individuals. “For us, the veterans and former employees and service members of the Border Guards Service and the Border Police, this monument, which is to be erected in the municipality of Balti, is a symbol of the unity and continuity of all the generations of border guards and border police officers who ensured the security of the state borders of the Republic of Moldova,” he stated.
The Association’s representatives said they are profoundly concerned about the reckless intention to profane their military values that are sacred for them and derive from the military oath of faith to the Republic of Moldova. These are values that they observed with honor and dignity throughout the military service and some of their comrades sacrificed their life for ensuring the people’s peaceful existence and the security of the state borders.
The Association’s secretary Valery Astafyev said the initiative to put up the monument is fully legal and was coordinated and authorized by the Balti mayor’s office in accordance with the law. The place was identified and the Association, before the Border Police Day that was marked recently, requested the local authorities to allow laying the foundation stone of the future monument. They know that any new monument should be authorized by the National Council for Public Monuments and some other legal procedures need to be followed.
Mihai Carp, chairman of the War Veterans Union of Centru district, said it is regrettable that a party is trying to get political dividends from a noble initiative to build a monument. This monument that would represent a memorial for the followers does not imply public costs and is to be erected at the own expense of veterans and former employees and service members.
