September 17 referendum to decide future of Transnistria
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Wednesday, 12 July 2006 |
TIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - On 17 September 2006 voters in Transnistria (whose official name is Pridnestrovie) will go to the polls to decide the future of their unrecognized country. The outcome of the referendum will determine whether to formalize or abandon its 16 years of de facto independence.
On 12 July Pridnestrovie's parliament passed a resolution defining the wording of two foreign policy questions which will be put to voters in a nationwide referendum on 17 September.
The outcome of the vote will determine whether Pridnestrovie should continue its policy of independence, seeking closer partnerships with Moscow, or instead abandon independence and suppport the unification-policy favored by Chisinau, Moldova.
The wording of the questions will deal directly with foreign policy decisions concerning relations with the Russian Federation and the Republic of Moldova. According to the press office of Parliament, a majority 38 of the 43-member legislative body voted in favor of the following wording -
?1. Do you support a policy of independence of the Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica and possible free accession to the Russian Federation?"
"2. Do you consider it possible for the Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica to give up its independence and then join the Republic of Moldova?"
Pridnestrovie has not had any talks with Russia about joining, and it is known that Russia is formally opposed to this possibility. However, Pridnestrovie's President Igor Smirnov is optimistic that if the voters decide to pursue such a policy, then he and the government will at least seek to open negotiations.
" - Under its legislation, the Russian Federation can be joined only by independent states and only with their consent. The current wording of the question allows considering that there is such consent in case of a positive answer," Smirnov said.
The referendum in Pridnestrovie follows a similar independence referendum in Montenegro which less than two months ago confirmed the voters wish for independence.
Pridnestrovie - better known in English under its unofficial name, Transnistria - declared independence on 2 September 1990, nearly sixteen years ago. Although unrecognized by the international community, it has functioned as a sovereign country ever since and meets the requirements for statehood under international law.
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