 | 18 YEARS of 'de facto' independence was celebrated in Pridnestrovie on 2 Sep 2008. The republic declared independence one year before Moldova. [more] |  | | |  | A RIVER OF BLOOD was the promise to Moldova's Slavic minority in 1990. Ethnic conflict played a role in independence struggles on both sides of the Dniester river. [more] |
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Education Minister wants Pridnestrovie to continue as independent state
" - We are able to go on as an independent state," says Elena Bomeshenko, Pridnestrovie's Minister of Education. She urges all citizens to participate in the 17 September independence referendum and let their voices be heard.
Elena Bomeshenko, Pridnestrovie's Minister of Education: "We are able to go on as an independent state"TIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - In an interview with Radio PMR, the Education Minister of Pridnestrovie, Elena Bomeshko, commented on the significance of the September 17 referendum on the future status of the unrecognized country.
" - The independence referendum is very important for our republic. First, because each citizen who has the right to vote is allowed to take part in the shaping of our foreign policy. And this is extremely important. The right to choose through the ballot box when it comes to internal policies is one thing, but the right to influence foreign policy and our relations with the rest of the world is something more important. And now each citizen of Pridnestrovie has this right. To me, this is a big achievement of democracy. If parliament and the cabinet of ministers are sure that people will be able to make a right decision and to help their leaders to make one too, this is a guarantee of confidence and understanding between the authorities and the population," says Bomeshko.
Speaking as a personal voter, and not as a government minister, Elena Bomeshko also expressed her own preferences, urging others to for independence on 17 September:
" - The referendum is a crucial event for the republic. We should clearly say: ‘we are an independent state and, under no pretext and on no condition, will we join the Republic of Moldova.’"
" - For 16 years already Pridnestrovie has been living and developing as an independent state. And the fact that all our key spheres are developing proves that we are able to go on as an independent state," says Bomeshko.
On 17 September the voters of Pridnestrovie will go to the polls to answer the following two questions:
1. Do you support the course towards the independence of the PMR and the subsequent free association with the Russian Federation?
2. Do you consider it possible to renounce the PMR's independent status and subsequently become part of the Republic of Moldova?
The Minister of Education of the unrecognized country made her comments in an interview this week on Radio PMR, an official state-run shortwave station which can be picked up all over Europe and in many parts of North America.
Depending on your point of view, official state-run Radio PMR is either a blast from the past which reminds you of Cold War propaganda ... or else it is a way for emigrants and their descendants to stay in touch with news from back home. Whatever your preferred label, tune in with an open mind and decide for yourself. Radio PMR from Tiraspol is transmitted on shortwave to listeners in Europe and North America, with daily news and updates in a variety of languages including English. They broadcast live every day at 4 pm GMT on frequency 5910 khz shortwave, 49 meter band. The station transmits daily news and information about Pridnestrovie from a powerful transmitter located within the borders of the Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica. (With information from Regnum News Agency)
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