 | TRANSNISTRIA WAS NEVER IN MOLDOVA during any period of Moldova's history as an independent country since 1359. Could that change in the future? [more] |  | | |  | FACT AND FICTION blend in how the world sees Pridnestrovie, also known as Transnistria. In this guide, get just the facts and none of the fiction... [more] |
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Recognition of Abkhazia in '08, with Transdniester to follow
Russia will be ready for formal diplomatic recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008, says the Duma's most powerful politician. If the outcome leads to recognition, as most analysts expect, recognition of Transdniester will follow almost immediately. The timetable can be moved if events in Kosovo merit it. 
Green light: Boris Gryzlov, who leads Russia's largest political party, is getting ready to recognize 3 unrecognized countriesMOSCOW (Tiraspol Times) - When Boris Gryzlov speaks, unrecognized countries listen. The éminence grise of Russia's political scene has set early 2008 as the timeframe when Abkhazia and South Ossetia can obtain formal diplomatic recognition, with Transdniester (Pridnestrovie) to follow shortly thereafter. At the same time, it is possible that the date can be moved up, depending on how events in Kosovo unfold.
" - South Ossetian and Abkhazian officials have applied to us many times to discuss recognition of their independence," Gryzlov told a press conference held shortly after elections closed in Russia this Sunday.
" - Talks about the issue is early at the moment, but the new convocation of Russian "Duma" will consider the issue in January," news agency Prime News reported him as saying.
According to Gryzlov, democratic results of legislative elections conducted in the two de facto republics were also very interesting for making the most relevant decision.
Following Abkhazian and South Ossetian recognition, Transdniestria (officially Pridnestrovie) will be next. If Kosovo declares its independence and is recognized unilaterally then it is possible this date may be moved up faster.
- Close links to Putin
In earlier statements, Duma deputies such as Victor Alksnis, Sergei Baburin, Konstantin Kosachev and Konstantin Zatulin have repeatedly expressed the need for Russia to extend formal diplomatic recognition to the already "de facto" independent states as Transdniestria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
With Boris Gryzlov publicly embracing the issue, it marks the first time that such a statement has come from a top-ranking Duma deputy and leading political figure with close and intimate ties to Russia's presidency.
Since 2003, Gryzlov has been Speaker of the the Russian parliament's lower house, the State Duma. As the top man among 450 deputies, his words would carry enough weight even without his second job: Leadership of Russia's largest political party.
Boris Gryzlov is also the head of the largest Russian political party, United Russia, which just cleaned up at last Sunday's parliamentary elections. Winning 64% of the popular vote, the party can now singlehandedly form a constitutional majority in parliament that is eligible not only to pass federal laws, by also to make changes to the Constitution if not vetoed by the Federation Council or the President.
Gryzlov is a close ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin, and the two are known for extensively coordinating their political moves and public statements. (With information from Prime-News)
See also:
» Georgia expects Abkhazia to get recognized statehood in 2008
» Russia will formally recognize Transdniester's independence, say MPs
» "Russia must recognize Transdniestria," says its parliament's Black Colonel
» Konstantin Zatulin: "There exists a group of countries ready to recognize PMR"
On the web:
» Boris Gryzlov official website
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe is glad to see progress in one of the continent's oldest "frozen conflicts". Local OSCE-head Philip Remler welcomed the resumption of direct dialogue between Transdniestria and Moldova. Transdniestria hopes that the talks will bring it a step closer to international recognition of its independence. . . 
