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Pridnestrovie's future "bright and sunny" says top MP and ex-head of Afghanistan troops
Pridnestrovie has a bright and sunny future says leading Russian MP Valentin Varennikov. Visiting Pridnestrovie, the former commander of Soviet Forces in Afghanistan saw what Pridnestrovie has achieved in the past 17 years. "I was surprised that such a small country has working state institutions, well-balanced system and government programs," he said.
MP Valentin Varennikov, the former commander of Soviet Forces in Afghanistan, supports Pridnestrovie's independenceTIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - Freedom and democracy are the building blocks that will allow the new and emerging republic of Pridnestrovie to take its place among other nations in the international community.
Retired General Valentin Varennikov, a leading MP of Russia’s Parliament, the State Duma, visited Pridnestrovie to congratulate the republic and its citizens on their 17th independence day held on 2 September 2007.
" - I was surprised that such a small country has working state institutions, well-balanced system and government programs," said the 84 year old Valentin Varennikov, commenting on Pridnestrovie's nation building achievements during the past seventeen years.
Less than twice the size of Luxembourg, the republic of Pridnestrovie is one of the smallest countries to emerge from the ruins of the Soviet Union. In terms of population, Pridnestrovie has twice as many inhabitants as Iceland.
" - In my opinion, the future of Pridnestrovie is as bright and sunny as today’s weather is," said Varennikov, referring to the bright sun over Tiraspol while independence was celebrated. "I wish happiness, well-being and prosperity to the people of Pridnestrovie!"
As a former general who commanded the Soviet Forces in Afghanistan, Valentin Varennikov was also impressed with the display of order and organization during Sunday's military parade in central Tiraspol, the capital of Pridnestrovie.
" - The parade also shows statehood. What a good level of training! It’s a small-scale Moscow parade," he noted, referring to the September 2 independence day parade.
Valentin Varennikov supports a free Pridnestrovie with a bright and peaceful future for its 550,000 citizens.
- Well received and highly respected in Chisinau
Valentin Varennikov is a credible advocate for Pridnestrovie's independence in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, where he has influence with the regime's leadership.
On 23 and 24 August 2007, Valentin Varennikov visited Chisinau and met personally with Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin, who like Varennikov is also a former Soviet-era General. Unlike Varennikov, however, Voronin is an opponent of freedom and independence for Pridnestrovie.
The two ex-Generals discussed opposition to fascism and nazism on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the Soviet victory in Moldova in World War II.
A well-respected politician and highly decorated war hero, Varennikov was received in Chisinau by the Moldovan President with full honors. During his visit to Moldova he was also received by prime minister Vasile Tarlev, deputy minister Ion Coropcean, presidential advisor Ion Morei, and was accompanied by the Russian Ambassador to Moldova, Valeri Kuzmin.
Despite receiving a hero's welcome in Moldova, Valentin Varennikov still prefers a free Pridnestrovie. He does not want Pridnestrovie to become part of Moldova, which is a country that Pridnestrovie in the past has historically not been part of and which a majority of Pridnestrovie's citizens don't want to be part of in the future, either.
" - The unity of the people of Pridnestrovie ensures further development of the republic," said Varennikov during his visit to Tiraspol.
- Lessons learned from Afghanistan
Valentin Varennikov was born in a poor Cossack family in 1923. He fought in World War II and was one of the commanders of the Soviet soldiers who captured the Reichstag in the Battle of Berlin.
As deputy head of the Soviet General Staff from 1979-84, Valentin Varennikov was a key planner of the Soviet Union's strategy in Afghanistan.
" - The first thing I have to say about the lessons that Afghanistan taught us is that you can't wage war against the people," Varennikov told CNN recently. This lesson is important for Moldova to remember if it considers going to war against Pridnestrovie (or Transnistria as it calls it) for a second time.
" - Secondly, you always have to find ways to approach and to come to an agreement with the opposite side," Varennikov added. The population of Pridnestrovie is overwhelmingly in favor of independence and has shown that it is willing and capable of defending their state against outside aggression. Moldova has not yet shown any willingness to come to an agreement with Pridnestrovie; having instead preferred military and economic pressure to subdue the people living on the other side of the Dniester river which separates the two sides.
In 1989 General Varennikov was named commander-in-chief of Soviet infantry and land forces, and became the Soviet Union's deputy minister of defence.
He joined forces with the plotters of a 1991 coup against former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. After the coup failed, Varennikov was arrested and tried for treason, but he was acquitted by the Russian Supreme Court in 1994. He was the only member of the group of accused plotters who refused to accept an amnesty. A year later, he became a member of the State Duma. In 2003 - still in Parliament - he joined the Rodina block as one of its leaders. He is a political ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Today Varennikov combines his MP-duties in the Russian Parliament with also being the president of the International League for the Defence of Human Dignity and Security, a conflict resolution NGO.
The organization provides assistance in the development of democratic principles in the life of society and resistance to any forms of violence which could result in trampling human dignity. It works for the increasing the participation of communities in preventing conflict situations and threats to security, the settling of the latter peacefully. Moreover, according to information on its website www.dignity.ru, it also helps in the sorting out consequences of conflicts and catastrophes, comprehensive care of those suffered, protection of humanitarian interests and values.
Under Valentin Varennikov's leadership, the organization unites international leaders who have practical experience in carrying out social-humanitarian and peace-making activities. Shuttle diplomacy between Chisinau and Tiraspol can now provide a peaceful solution to the conflict which is based on an understanding of Pridnestrovie's desire for a free and prosperous independent future.
See also:
» OSCE-supported study points to vibrant, active civil society
» Building a viable state, budget decifit cut in half says Speaker of Parliament
On the web:
» Press service, Moldova presidency
» Dignity.ru
A conference held at the European Parliament in Brussels concluded that unrecognized states like Pridnestrovie need a way to be heard by the world. "It is necessary to create and sustain permanent mechanisms of involvement and consultation of unrecognized state entities in the international community". This will benefit everyone, says the event's official statement. . . 
