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Election News from April 8, 2009

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Peaceful protests in the Great National Assembly Square

During the day on Wednesday, April 8, several thousands of people have gathered in Chisinau downtown to continue the protests. During several hours, no political leader of opposition parties that entered the Parliament have appeared in front of protesters. Only in the evening in the crowd appeared Dorin Chirtoaca. The manifestation was a peaceful one. On Wednesday, protests against vandalism were organised at the indication of country’s leadership in more localities of Moldova.

Nearly 100 policemen injured

Ninety-six employees of the Interior Ministry who participated on Tuesday in maintaining the public order were injured during massive demonstrations in the Chisinau downtown. Ala Meleca, spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, said that 43 of them were taken to ministerial health institutions after being hurt. Meleca noted that now the police control the situation and ensure the public order nationwide. (Source: Moldpres)

Night fires and takeover of control by police

The police offensive began on April 8 at around 01:00 a.m. The police arrested approximately 200 students and dispersed the protesting crowd by using false bullets. Military and policemen who surrounded the Government headquarters the whole day circled the protestors and forced them to get into police cars. Interior Ministry spokeswoman Ala Meleca stated: “It was fired blind shots for the time being but true bullets will be used if needed be.” (Source: Unimedia)

Interior Ministry explains why it did not use special means

The Interior Ministry claims that children, girls and teenagers were in the forefront among assailants during the April 7 storms and therefore the police could not use special means. It notes that though 100 policemen, who were not equipped with special means and did not take active measures, were in the middle, the protestors assaulted with stones. Additional police forces were further deployed, but the storm went on. The police intervention led to the destruction of two fire fighting vehicles and three police cars near the Parliament. Following clashes, fire at the building and spreading of toxic gases, the police had to give up. The police used special means, tear gas and acoustical grenades in front of the Parliament, but they did not help. (Source: Basa-press)

Approximately 200 people held

The police have held 193 people including 8 minors for committing robbery during massive riots in the Chisinau municipality on April 7. According to Interior Ministry spokesperson Ala Meleca, some of the held people who were very aggressive during the massive manifestations will be investigated under criminal charges and actions by most of the held persons fall under the incidence of the Code of Administrative Contraventions. (Source: Moldpres)

Protesters urge the Interior Ministry to release all arrested people

Protesters gathered in the Great National Assembly Square on Wednesday asked the Interior Ministry “to release immediately all people held during the Tuesday evening actions at the Parliament.” They further sought access to address live on public radio and TV stations. (Source: Infotag)

Prevention of bloodsheds is the main success, says Vladimir Voronin

The prevention of bloodsheds was the main success of the governing during the Tuesday clashes between police bodies and protestors who committed vandalism, President Vladimir Voronin told a sitting with representatives of central, local authorities, institutions of higher learning and civil society on Wednesday. He said that the incumbent governing succeeded to protect the democratic principles and values of our society, the European integration course during the Tuesday clashes. The chief of state notified rectors that many students left the classrooms and chose the anti-state political manifestations instead of courses, violating the legislation of country, education contracts and university discipline. (Source: Moldpres)

Experts evaluate damages

Experts are working at the Presidency and Parliament headquarters to estimate material damages after the Tuesday riots, Moldovan Prosecutor-General Valeriu Gurbulea told journalists on Wednesday. He said that the prosecutor’s office has set several investigative teams “to investigate the illegalities in Chisinau.” “Video records are being considered and some guilty have been identified,” the prosecutor noted. Gurbulea confirmed that approximately 20 people have been arrested and many protesters and policemen have been hurt. “As I know, the life of no one is in danger,” Gurbulea said. He added that some organisers of the riots have already left the republic. (Source: Infotag)

Romanian ambassador declared persona non-grata, while Romanian citizens will be required visas

Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin has declared the Romanian ambassador in Chisinau, Filip Teodorescu, as persona non grata in the Republic of Moldova. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a meeting with civil society representatives. The chief of state said that Romania is involved in the riots in Chisinau, which turned into disorder and vandalism. Voronin stressed that according to some reports, Romanian authorities have chartered five coaches to young people who came to protests and instigated the crowd to destabilisation and union of Moldova with Romania. The chief of state noted that national authorities have plans to consider a visa regime for Romanian citizens. According to the president, Romanians will pay a 35-euro visa fee like other foreigners. The minister-adviser of the Romanian Embassy, Ioan Gaborean, was also declared persona non grata and he will be expelled within 24 hours. (Source: Moldpres)

Moldova introduces visas for Romanians starting April 9

Moldova will introduce a visa regime for Romania starting April 9, 2009, in line with a decision made by the Chisinau Government on Wednesday. Andrei Stratan, minister of foreign affairs and European integration, has told a governmental sitting that this decision is linked to developments which occurred in Chisinau the last two days, condemned by all international institutions, including European. Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin told the same sitting that the persons who arranged the disaster in Chisinau “did not care about results of the parliamentary elections, the way it was officially declared.” He noted that the real goal was a coup d’état. (Source: Moldpres)

Romanian Foreign Ministry is indignant

The Foreign Ministry has indignantly taken notice of the decision of Chisinau authorities concerning the Romanian ambassador. It categorically rejects the accusations brought by Moldovan authorities regarding the alleged meddling of Romania in Moldova’s interior affairs. The Romanian Foreign Ministry stresses that this accusation is a provocation aimed at the Romania state. It is unacceptable that the communists in power in Chisinau shift the blame for internal problems in Moldova onto Romania and the Romanian people. As well, the Foreign Ministry describes as aberrant the unilateral travel restrictions announced by President Vladimir Voronin. It stresses that Romania will not take similar actions against personnel of the Moldovan Embassy in Bucharest and will maintain the free visa system for Moldovan citizens. (Source: Interlic)

Russian Foreign Ministry is “deeply concerned”

The Russian Foreign Ministry is “deeply concerned by developments in Chisinau after the April 5 parliamentary elections in the Republic of Moldova.” It said in a statement that “judging by slogans shouted in the square, lots of Romanian flags in hands of those who made disorders, their goal is to compromise the performances achieved in the last years in strengthening the sovereignty of Moldova, and influence the results of elections.” According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, “the statehood and democratic process in Moldova are endangered more in the measure of vandalism actions.” (Source: Infotag)

Chisinau asks the West to help settle situation related to massive disorders

Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin has called upon western organisations to help settling the situation related to massive disorders in Chisinau. According to the presidential press service, Voronin told a meeting with ambassadors to Moldova that “Moldovan authorities are concerned by disorders and call upon western organisations to help the settlement.” The chief of state informed diplomats in connection with violent actions, which he feared, endanger the security of Moldova and invited diplomats “to address protestors in order to recall them that reports by international observers declared the elections democratic.” (Source: Infotag)

U.N. Secretary-General is concerned over violence in Moldova

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon is concerned by violent riots in Moldova held after the April 5 parliamentary elections. He is confident that any disagreement with the results of elections may be settled in a peaceful manner and calls upon all parties to refrain from violent actions and be calm, reads a statement by spokesperson for the U.N. Secretary-General. (Source: Omega)

European commissioner demands halt to violent demonstrations

European Commissioner Benita Fererro-Waldner demands the halt to violent demonstrations which began in Chisinau on Tuesday. According to a statement, the commissioner is deeply concerned by clashes between demonstrators and police. “I call upon all involved to immediately stop any acts of violence. I urge all concerned to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue. I strongly call for the leaders of all Moldovan parties to call for calm, pursue dialogue and avoid statements that could further inflame the situation,” she said. The commissioner reminded all parties that any complaint in connection to last Sunday’s elections should be addressed through the existing channels. (Source: Infotag)

Council of Europe calls upon parties to refrain from violence

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is calling upon parties involved in the Chisinau protests to refrain from violence. According to a statement by the chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Spain’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Miguel Moratinos and PACE President Luis Maria de Puci, they “are concerned with the violent events which have taken place in Chisinau following the April 5 parliamentary elections.” “The storming of public buildings is unacceptable and we urge a halt to any further violence on all sides. We call on all political leaders in the country to enter into a dialogue with a view to preventing any further violence,” reads the statement. (Source: Infotag)

U.S. Embassy calls for refraining from violent actions

The United States Embassy in Chisinau calls upon Moldova authorities to show restraint towards “protests in Chisinau.” According to a statement, the United States regrets “the violence in Chisinau that has led to injuries, damage to property and a possible loss of life.” The U.S. Embassy called on all participants “to refrain from violent actions and to resolve their differences through peaceful means.” “Citizens of a democracy have the right to assemble and express their views in a peaceful manner. We encourage all Moldovan citizens to work together and resolve their differences amicably,” reads the statement. (Source: Infotag)

European observer surprised by election results

“When we completed the counting of the ballots at around 1:00 a.m. on the 6th of April it seemed that the communists will have 35 percent, while the opposition parties 40–45 percent altogether,” Baroness Emma Nicholson, European parliamentarian who was part of the OSCE observance team, has stated to BBC. “But the data were very different by 08:00 a.m. The Communists had 50 percent while the opposition parties had feeble rates,” Mrs. Nicholson said. “But we couldn’t find any proof,” the member of the European Parliament stated. “If I were the head of the OSCE delegation, I would have been more careful,” she stressed. “Our report on elections was too warm and friendly. The problem was that it was an OSCE report, and in the OSCE are, of course, the Russians, and their view was quite different, quite substantially different, for example from my own,” the European observer said. (Source: Info-Prim)

NGO council calls upon protestors to stop violence

The Moldovan NGO Council is calling upon participants in downtown protests to stop violent actions. In this respect, the council adopted a statement addressing political leaders, the police, the media and participants in the meeting to stop the vandalism. The director of the centre for human rights resources CreDO, Serghei Ostaf, told a press conference on Wednesday that the council encourages manifestations needed to promote and consolidate democracy in country, but in a peaceful and civilised manner. Council secretary Antonita Fonari blames leaders of the PCRM and opposition parties for the April 7 events in Chisinau. They should ensure the security of people along with law enforcement bodies. (Source: Infotag)

Gagauz Bashkan calls for calm

Gagauz Bashkan Mihail Formuzal has called upon people from the autonomy to refrain from travelling to Chisinau, especially to the downtown. He also recommended parents whose children study in Chisinau to call and prevent them in this regard and told them that a bus was sent to bring students home free of charge. Formuzal asked the people from Gagauzia to refrain from large meetings. (Source: Infotag)

AMN demands immediate release of all arrested people

The “Moldova Noastra” Alliance (AMN) is demanding the immediate release of all people arrested during the protests. AMN leader Serafim Urechean asked at a press conference on Wednesday that all the arrested people to be tried at large. The AMN is sure that the communists and the PPCD have arranged the vandalism actions at the Parliament and Presidency headquarters. Urechean noted that the most inveterate protestors included members of the youth PPCD wing. The AMN leader blames the communist governing for the strained situation in country. He read some imperatives for the incumbent governing: to publish the voter rolls and to check them; to establish an investigative commission to inquire into vandalism actions committed during the protests; to grant a free access to the opposition and young protestors to public radio and television stations. (Source: Infotag)

PLDM seeks investigation of vandalism

The Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova (PLDM) is seeking the establishing of an investigative commission to elucidate vandalism actions against Parliament and Presidency buildings. PLDM chairman Vlad Filat told a press conference on Wednesday that his party is not involved in the riots and supposes that the PCRM and the PPCD have arranged the vandalism actions. “We hold evidence that there were members of the Youth organisation of PPCD «New Generation» among most aggressive young people,” he stated. The PLDM leader noted that he has met the city police chief and his deputy on Tuesday morning and told them that an aggressive young group was among protesters. (Source: Infotag)

UCM supports riots

The Centrist Union of Moldova (UCM) believes that Moldovan people have enough legal reasons to disagree with the undemocratic and dictatorial conduct of the communist governing. Therefore, the UCM will support the massive riots of people against election fraud, dictatorship and ignorance by governors towards population. Nevertheless, the UCM fears that an injustice, vandalism and violence cannot remedy another injustice. (Source: UCM statement)

PPCD accuses Russia of arranging storms in Chisinau downtown

“If President Vladimir Voronin was not rescued in the due time on Tuesday, he would have been lynched by protesters who stormed the Presidency headquarters,” Iurie Rosca, chairman of the Christian Democratic People’s Party (PPCD), told a press conference on Wednesday. Rosca stated that “he is sure, as the assassination of president was planned by security forces since 2005.” “In 2005, Russia wanted me and Vladimir Voronin to be dead because we did not back the Kozak Plan. We knew then to resist to provocations and the April 4 vote, the reason why we did not enter the Parliament this time, has actually rescued Moldova from a chaos,” Rosca assured. He accused former Moldovan president Petru Lucinschi of being involved in Russia’s plans on arranging riots in the Chisinau downtown. At the same time, Rosca is confident that Gabriel Stati, the son of billionaire Anatol Stati, manager of the joint stock society Ascom, was also involved in the April 6–7 demonstrations. Rosca denies reports that young PPCD members would have participated in the protests. He also blamed the Interior Ministry for not preventing violent actions. (Source: Infotag)

PDM accuses PCRM of present situation

The Democratic Party (PDM) considers that the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM) is to blame for the spontaneous revolt of people because it had an anti-democratic behaviour throughout its rule. The PD says in a press release that it supports the opinion of those who fear that “the voting of Moldovan citizens on April 5, 2009 was falsified.” The party notifies that the CEC has included by over 146,000 electors more in voters’ rolls than at local elections on June 3, 2007. The PD notes that under these conditions losing the control on situation and degrading it through violent street clashes are inadmissible. In order to remedy the crisis, the democrats propose repeated parliamentary elections, dismissal of administration of Teleradio-Moldova Company and Moldovan media watchdog CCA. (Source: Infotag)

UCM seeks new elections

The Centrist Union of Moldova (UCM) is calling upon all political parties from country which did not warm the method of conducting the electoral campaign to back an initiative seeking the organisation of new elections with respect for democratic principles, national and international legislation. As well, the UCM invites all international institutions and representations to Moldova to support this initiative. At the same time, the UCM invites them to participate actively in establishing a joint expert commission specialised in information and election organising to survey the electoral campaign and especially to consider additional lists, possibilities to manipulate the application of the stamp on ballot papers. According to the UCM, electoral contestants did not enjoy equal conditions of participation in electoral campaign. (Source: UCM statement)

PSD does not recognise the election results

The Social Democratic Party (PSD) does not recognise the results of the April 5, 2009 parliamentary elections, regarding them as fraudulent and false. It said this in a statement adopted the third day after the elections. According to the statement, “the party holds evidence that the voters’ rolls were fraudulent, that votes by inexistent people were introduced in the favour of the communists, the Party of Communists violated legal regulations during electoral campaign and on Election Day.” The Social Democrats describes the demonstrations in the Chisinau downtown as “a normal reaction towards electoral options of citizens,” and condemns the acts of vandalism. Earlier, the PSD Political Bureau excluded the party secretary-general, Eduard Musuc, “for his actions against PSD interests, activities held to advantage another electoral contestant during electoral campaign, for stopping propaganda-making work in Chisinau municipality.”

CEC provides the opposition with access to reports on ballot counting

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Moldova is ready to provide the opposition with access to reports on ballot counting and voter rolls, said CEC secretary Iurie Ciocan. He noted that the opposition does not contest all election results and does not wonder over fairness of reports, but raises certain objections against voters’ rolls. Ciocan stressed that nearly 99 percent of the ballot papers have been counted and “the preliminary results did not change much.” According to Ciocan, the CEC was set to hold a press conference on Wednesday and officially release the election results. But the conference was postponed because CEC chairman Eugen Stirbu was hospitalised after experiencing a stress over the election-related scandal. (Source: Infotag)