Moldovan politician to lead observer mission of Russian Compatriots Council at Transnistrian referendum

The International Council of Russian Compatriots (CICR), held on July 14 in Moscow, decided to send an observer mission to monitor the referendum in Transnistria, scheduled for September 17. The leader of the Social-Political Movement „Ravnopravie”, Valeri Climenco, chairman of the Congress of the Russian Community of RM, stated about this on a Tuesday press conference. Climenco, who is also member of CICR leadership, was appointed as chairman of the observers’ mission. He also mentioned that this mission comprises deputies of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as well as representatives of Canada, France, Great Britain, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Germany, Ukraine and other countries. All the expenses for organizing this activity will be covered by CIRC. Climenco also stated that, after organizing the referendum of Transnistria, its sovereignty will be recognized, within 6 months to 1 year, by many states. At the same time, the leader of „Ravnopravie” mentioned that as result of the plebiscite, Transnistria will gain its independence and sovereignty, allowing it to develop economically and politically, more fruitful than within RM. „the main advantage of this fact is that Transnistria will get rid of the terror of Moldova, which lasts more than 15 years,” Climenco highlighted. At a press conference, on Thursday, July 11, President Vladimir Voronin declared that Tiraspol intends to divert the attention from the region’s problems, mentioning that the situation in Transnistria has nothing in common with the one in Kosovo or Montenegro and can not be settled using similar mechanisms. European officials and representatives of international organizations declared as well that the outcomes of the referendum will not be recognized.