Transnistrian NGO accuses Chisinau of practicing populism

The president of a Transnistria-based association called “Pro Europa”, Boris Asarov, is blaming the authorities of Moldova of preaching heady messages of populism when they state they can solve the Transnistrian dispute until the parliamentary elections in 2009. At a news conference on Wednesday, May 14, Asarov has leveled harsh criticism of Chisinau's position on the talks with Tiraspol. In his view, the problem is far more intricate than thought, given that during the last 15 years the left side of the Nistru has been the victim of a policy aimed at damaging the reputation of the Moldovan constitutional authorities and the arena of a “targeted zombification” of the populace. Asarov asks rhetorically “what's the good of this haste in which all sorts of commissions and task forces are created and unrealizable ideas, well, at least in the short run, are launched?... Suppose one gets his leg cut off. And then they decide to glue it back. Let's admit, it's an extremely complicated and painful procedure... And what if the leg is glued backwards?” According to him, finding a definitive solution for the conflict between the two banks of the Nistru and reintegrating the Republic of Moldova in such short amounts of time is a challenge to democracy itself. The insistence of Chisinau and the EU, on the one hand, and the reluctance displayed by Tiraspol and the Kremlin, on the other hand, call in to question the possibility of meeting the deadlines set by the Moldovan authorities”, said Asarov. Asarov, however, believes the Transnistrian issue is resolvable in three years. Meanwhile, it is necessary to deploy international civilian and security missions in the Transnistrian region of Moldova. A United Nations High Commissioner for Transnistria should replace the Tiraspol administration and should grant Transnistria a special status within the borders of a reintegrated state. A number of analysts, however, criticized Asarov's plan, arguing that it is in fact seeking Transnistria's recognition on international level.