The former Moldavian SSR: A non-country which broke in two

The former Moldavian SSR was never a real, sovereign country. Created with artificial borders by Stalin, it was part of the USSR

TIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - The term "former Moldavian SSR" is intentionally written as shorthand for present day Moldova and Transdniester (the latter having several different English language spellings). This kind of political journalism is used when reference is made to the countries once comprising the "former Yugoslavia" as well as those republics making up the "former Soviet Union". It acknowledges that one time single units have since broken away from each other.

For new readers and as a brief reiteration to those familiar with the subject matter: Transdniester (officially named Pridnestrovie, per its constitution) has the most valid case for independence among all of the former Communist bloc territories currently in dispute. It's a multi-ethnic, peaceful society, with a democratic government, which doesn't threaten any of its neighbors. When evaluating the disputed territories, the one size fits all mindset (either independence for all or none) is like fitting everyone with a shoe that's only available in one size. Another misevaluation pertains to when numerous choices don't result in a correct fit. Like the mischievous suggestion that Kosovo has a better case for independence than Transdniester and some other disputed former Soviet territories.

Transdniester's pre-Soviet and Soviet histories include it never having been part of an independent Moldova. Transdniester was part of ancient Russia (Kievan Rus)
and in pre-1939 Soviet times, it was affiliated with Russia as an autonomous region within the Communist created Ukrainian SSR. Unlike Kosovo, the ethnic demography of Transdniester (a clear Russocentric Slavic majority) hasn't changed over the centuries. The latter has experienced no wide scale illegal immigration and-or ethnic cleansing campaigns. Through military force, the USSR incorporated the Moldovan region of Romania in 1939. Shortly thereafter, Transdniester was arbitrarily put into the Communist created Moldavian SSR. The collapse of Communism in Europe permitted Moldova to determine its own future. It's a high point in hypocrisy to deny this right to Transdniester. This past September 17th, a free and fair referendum further reveals that Transdniester desires the full status of an independent state and the expressed will to reunify with Russia.

No threat to its neighbors

All things considered, the war between Moldova and Transdniester (in the early nineties) hasn't left the bad blood evident in some other post Communist bloc conflicts (Kosovo being an extreme contrast). Russia's 14th Army should be credited for successfully ending the war between Moldova and Transdniester. Since then, Moldova shows no noticeable movement to again attack Transdniester. For its part, Transdniester poses no legitimate threat to its neighbors.

One couldn't help but note a recent statement made by Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin. In no uncertain terms, he cautioned Romania to not display any imperial ambitions towards his internationally recognized country. For Transdniester - Voronin's comments are clouded by his ongoing attitude towards Transdniester.

Romania and Moldova have much in common, as shown by the vertical blue, yellow and red flag they each have (the only difference being that Moldova's has an emblem in its center). Shortly after the Soviet breakup, Moldova's newly created UN Mission was located on the same New York building floor as Romania's (the two offices have since moved to other locations, separate from each other). Despite their fraternal feelings, Chisinau maintains an independent status from Bucharest. As long as this is the freely expressed will of Moldova - Romania should respectfully recognize that present status quo.

In comparison, Transdniester and Moldova have a similar though more distant relationship. Although Transdniester was never part of an independent pre-Soviet Moldova, Transdniester and Moldova were at times affiliated with the same (now defunct) empires. Transdniester political figure Andrey Safonov recently ran on a platform favoring a Chisinau-Tiraspol confederation. The election result shows that his sentiment isn't shared by the overwhelming majority of Transdniester's population.

Transdniester's stated desire for closer ties with Russia isn't so out of wack with many in Moldova. It wasn't too long ago when Voronin advocated Moldovan entry into the proposed Common (or Joint) Economic Sphere, involving Russia and some other former Soviet republics. The Common Economic Sphere framework doesn't translate into member states becoming Russian republics (a process which can be hypothetically initiated via other avenues, based on a mutual desire between any of the involved parties). At the same time, the Common Economic Sphere's overall makeup reflects the reality of Russia as the leader of a close knit economic order. Although Voronin has since detracted from Common Economic Sphere confederation, there's reasonable cause to believe that Moldova may yet again choose closer ties to Russia and some other former Soviet states. Moldova's ongoing economic woes and non-likelihood of an early EU membership might be enough for Chisinau to reconsider its path.

The upcoming new year promises to be an interesting one for the people of the former Moldavian SSR.

Michael Averko is a New York based independent foreign policy analyst and media critic. In addition to The Tiraspol Times, his commentary has appeared in the Action Ukraine Report, Eurasian Home, Intelligent.ru, Johnson's Russia List, Russia Blog, Serbianna and The New York Times.

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» Disputed Territories: Five realities, five degrees of independence