 | RECOGNIZE REALITY is the message that Pridnestrovie's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is sending to the world. The new and emerging country seeks international recognition. [more] |  | | |  | AFTER MOLDOVA'S ATTACK on Transdniestria in 1992, the local population strengthened its struggle for independence. A look back at the roots of the conflict helps provide a glimpse of what the future could bring. [more] |
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Modest Kolerov: "Status settlement must be grounded in reality"
Any status settlement between Moldova and Pridnestrovie has to be based on reality. So says Modest Kolerov, who until recently was one of the top men in the Kremlin dealing with minority protection of Russians abroad.
Modest Kolerov: "The best outcome for Moldova will be an honorable peace with the people of Pridnestrovie"MOSCOW (Tiraspol Times) - A settlement of the status of Pridnestrovie's relations with Moldova, and vice versa, must be based on a recognition of reality. So says Modest Kolerov, an outgoing Kremlin specialist in protecting the minority rights of ethnic Russians abroad.
A negotiated "honorable peace" with Pridnestrovie's citizens is the best possible outcome for Moldova, says Kolerov. Speaking about the most preferable version of settling the relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol, the Russian politician noted that any agreement must have at its core "the recognition of reality, first of all, geographical and political".
- Moldova could become part of Romania in the not-too-distant future. Do you agree? And how will this affect the countries involved?
" - I don't agree that the Anschluss of Moldavia is close. Furthermore, I think that Ukraine and Turkey will be among the countries that would oppose such an Anschluss. Hungary is also a possibility, with the special position of Romanian Transylvania. Bulgaria may also have a dissenting opinion regarding such a fate for Budjak. A hypothetical unionist victory will be Pyrrhic, and for Moldova the price of such a victory will be the final and definitive split with Pridnestrovie. No one thinks this is unimportant. And they won't do this without Russian safeguards."
- What is your view on the increasing visits since July 2007 to Pridnestrovie of western diplomats and representatives of international organizations, as well as the subsequent discussions about the "Europeanization" of Pridnestrovie?
" - The Euro-Atlantic peacekeepers apparently thought that their mission in Kosovo has already been completed, and that it sharpened their skills to now "purchase" Pridnestrovie. But I t think that they won't have time to demonstrate their skills in Pridnestrovie because they will be busy analyzing their "successes" in Kosovo and Kurdistan."
- How do you see the implications for Russia if it "throws in the towel" and abandons Pridnestrovie? What would that mean to Russia? And how to you personally envision the status settlement for Pridnestrovie?
" - Russia won't abandon the Pridnestrovians. There are practical issues at stake, and a question of conscience. But the core of any status settlement solution must be based on a recognition of reality, first of all of the geographical and political reality. I am sure that the civilized Moldovan solution would be an honorable peace with Pridnestrovie. This is the best response to those who haven't yet gotten over the 1940-1944 period and who until now view Moldovans as 'second second-class Romanians'."
- What would this "honorable peace" look like?
" - It would be a "peace without annexation and contribution", without the capitulations that comes not only from the legal equality of the sides. If three million Moldovans consider themselves equal to twenty-two million Romanians, then it is also just fair to consider themselves equal to half a million Pridnestrovians."
See also:
» New and emerging countries appeal to UN, OSCE, EU, CIS to prevent bloodshed
» Moldova should choose Europe instead of Transdniester
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. . . 
