Posted on 09/17/2006 6:47:06 PM PDT by blam
Lawless region's vote on joining Russia rattles West
By Adrian Blomfield in Moscow
(Filed: 18/09/2006)
Moldova's breakaway region of Trans-dniestr voted yesterday in an internationally unrecognised referendum to decide whether one of Europe's most lawless corners will become part of Russia.
Western officials fear the vote could sour relations with Moscow, spread instability in the former Soviet Union and hamper efforts to diminish the access of terrorists to a vast stockpile of unmonitored weapons.
The result, due today, is expected to confirm that the territory in eastern Moldova — about twice the size of Luxembourg — will maintain its separatist course with a view to joining Russia eventually.
Led by Igor Smirnov, a former factory worker, Trans-dniestr broke away from Moldova after a brief war in 1992 in which about 1,000 people died.
Moldova has declared the vote illegal and European Union election observers are staying away, citing the undemocratic nature of Mr Smirnov's administration which has been accused of repression.
Only Russia, which has stationed more than 1,000 troops in Trans-dniestr to the fury of Moldova, has supported the referendum.
Home to Europe's largest Soviet Army weapons cache, Trans-dniestr is said to have become one of the world's leading arms bazaars. A number of surface-to-air missiles, as well as the ingredients for dirty bombs, have disappeared from Trans-dniestr in recent years, sparking fears that they may have fallen into terrorist hands.
2XLuxembourg? A small nuke should suffice, with the added benefit of removing many weapons. Let the Russkies do it...............FRegards
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.