The How-To for peace and prosperity on the Dniester

There's an easy recipe for peace between the two sides of the Dniester. At its most basic, it starts by recognizing that not everyone is the same, and that they don't need to be either.

If we agree on different strokes for different folks, we can allow each of the two sides of the Dniester River to map out its own future freely, something which one side currently wants to deny to the other.

" - In my Father's house are many mansions," said Jesus Christ, referring to diversity and the fact that there's room for everyone, even if we have our differences and maybe don't always see eye to eye on everything.

If Moldova wants to be closer to Europe and join NATO, Transdniestria should respect that and let Moldova go its own way. Transdniestria has always looked to Russia, historically and culturally. Tiraspol was founded by A.V. Suvorov in 1792 on behalf of Catherine II of the Russian Empire. Moldova should respect that, and let Transdniestria go its own way.

By respecting individual differences and celebrating diversity both sides can become good neighbors to their mutual advantage. Things only start turning awry when one side won't do that.

"Live and Let Live" should be the motto for anyone seeking peace between the two banks of the Dniester River. The United States lives side by side with Mexico, but no one will argue that the two are alike. They get along by recognizing their differences, and respecting them. The same is true with Canada. The two are great trading partners and collaborate internationally. But the US has no territorial claim on Canada, and Canada has no territorial claim on the United States.

Ireland and Great Britain were at war less than a hundred years ago. At the time, Great Britain refused to recognize the right of the Irish people to self-determination and independent statehood. Ever since war ended, and Ireland became free, the two have become friends and partners. Today, they are fellow members of the European Union. Close political and economical co-operation has brought prosperity to both sides, in a true win-win for everyone. The only thing it took was for Great Britain to relinquish its territorial claim on Ireland, and allow the Irish a free and democratic future.

Eventually, Moldova will have to face reality and figure out what is best for its own interests. For this corner of Europe to become prosperous, everyone needs to start collaborating for mutual benefit. This can be a win-win for everyone. It is not a zero sum game. Political dinosaurs in Moldova haven't grasped that yet, thinking that they first need to destroy the leadership of its neighbor in order for itself to get ahead.

But that is Soviet thinking, and it is dead wrong. A more European Moldova will know that Moldova can be prosperous, and that Transdniestria can too, and that this will happen on individual terms. Once Moldova realizes that, a closer co-operation can start: As friends, not as antagonists.

For that to happen, settlement must be based on a clear understanding that Transdniestria wasn't part of Moldova, ever. It was part of the Moldavian SSR, but that was something else - and that something else has, thankfully, seized to exist a long time ago.

Eventually, Moldova will need to drop the old territorial claim that it can't ever hope to make good on anyway. Realize that everyone has a right to a future in democracy and freedom, and help Transdniestria become more democratic and more free: With tolerance and a respect for the local population's deeply held desire for independent statehood.

The new borders must be established as close to he historical norm as possible. If Moldova can't or won't respect historical borders, a stable, peaceful and prosperous future can not be guaranteed.

Good fences make good neighbors, and good neighbors is something everyone wants. There is no need to deny Moldova peace and prosperity, and there is no need to deny it to anyone else either.

Steve Hill is a former missionary who is today involved in conflict resolution work. He has experience with a UN-led mission in Asia and is currently taking part in a familiarization seminar in Tiraspol, the PMR capital, as preparation for a new job helping the unrecognized country obtain internationally recognized statehood.