Politics
CIS summit – a pretext for a propagandistic campaign?
Reading Time: 5 minutesDuring November 13–14, 2008, Chisinau hosted the summit of CIS heads of government. Much was written about this regional organisation, though it deserved only some ascertainments. The CIS may claim th
Igor Botan, ADEPT
During November 13–14, 2008, Chisinau hosted the summit of CIS heads of government. Much was written about this regional organisation, though it deserved only some ascertainments. The CIS may claim the title of the most secret regional international organisation. It is almost impossible to find texts of most of documents adopted within the CIS. Draft documents to be discussed at summits are unavailable. In this respect, the Chisinau Summit was like other previous meetings. Talks about adopting some epochal strategies and documents, of course for the sake of citizens, relating to the CIS budget, etc., without publishing the texts of those drafts feature this organisation. In addition, the context in which the Chisinau Summit took place adds new definitive features to the CIS image: Georgia has quitted this organization after the Russian-Georgian war; Russia has organised an informational war against Ukraine over the last years and some Russian officials have permanently threatened the territorial integrity of this country; Uzbekistan has quitted the Euro-Atlantic Economic Community, in which Moldova is an observer, an organisation providing an allegedly more advanced economic, tariff and customs cooperation with some CIS member states, etc.
In such conditions, the true role and the necessity to keep the CIS alive may be reasoned by starting from previous statements delivered by Russian Premier Vladimir Putin when he was the president of Russia. He said that "the CIS was instituted for the civilised divorce of former Soviet republics." Mr. Putin stated in 2005 that "the collapse of the USSR was the biggest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century." These statements explain the essence of developments in the CIS. An international organisation cannot be consolidated when its subjects describe its origins in an antagonistic manner. Thus, all CIS members regard the collapse of the USSR as a freedom, while Russia regards it as a catastrophe. Playing with zero is dangerous. In order not to feel itself desolated, Russia is recalled that the process of disintegration of the USSR was initiated by Russia, which was the first Soviet republic to declare its sovereignty and open the "parade of sovereignties". But this does not help, as the "civilised divorce" is "frozen" together with separatist conflicts supported by Russia in territories of some CIS member states, while Russia has decisively combated them in its territory. It seems that separatist regimes and Russian military bases in territories of partners have become "anchors" aimed to link the CIS borders. But CIS member states which undergo the long "divorce process" could have decided to withdraw from this semi-secret structure in order to establish reciprocally advantageous bilateral relations, but they are afraid of being punished for undermining the illusion that Russia could remedy at least some consequences of "the biggest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century."
Although tens of CIS summits have been held at level of heads of state or government, problems which do poison good relations such as issues related to "frozen conflicts" which "Russia has frozen by using own schemes and it will not allow anybody to thaw them after other schemes,"[1] are not discussed. Nor the problem of the CIS-2 made by the separatist regions supported by Russia is discussed. Instead, the same problems which do not have a positive effect on member states have been discussed over years. On the contrary, member states are punished if they try to express own interests. It seems that none of CIS members should dare to follow own interests without coordinating them with Russia. A country or group of countries daring to announce own interests is declared anti-Russia.
Indeed, all CIS summits seemed to be at random, except for the one held in 2004 when an action against the OSCE, and the 2005 summit in Kazani, when Russia has announced its decision to monetise the relations with CIS partners. Same discussions about the common information area ensured via the TV Company "MIR", about the free economic zone, humanitarian problems, etc., migrate from an agenda to another. But the plot thickens between meetings. For example, the common information area in the CIS is becoming a non-sense after Georgia, the country which had a special contribution to the common cultural treasury of former Soviet republics, has quitted the CIS. So, what will happen with the alleged common area if holders of the worthiest cultural contributions are eliminated? Perhaps, only the propaganda and statements revealing good intentions will survive.
Speaking about humanitarian problems which are often discussed within the CIS, a dimension of major importance would be the problem of guest workers, millions of citizens from CIS members who work in Russia illegally. It is well-known that their status pushes many of them to commit offences, including very grave crimes and they are also victims of very grave crimes. But researches on this matter, if there are any, statistics and topics of official talks are inaccessible. How could CIS members protect their citizens and prevent conditions which produce problems?
The recent Chisinau summit has reached a new dimension of the humanitarian problem – the youth – which will be developed in future. How credible is this initiative, when two CIS states, for example, Russia and the Republic of Moldova, ignore sounding cases related to rights of citizens, particularly of youths? For example, the case of a young family will be probably signalled to the ECHR, as it cannot reunite for unexplained reasons. This is the case of journalist Natalia Morari, a citizen of Moldova who has recently married a Russian. The situation faced by the young family is nothing but a state revenge. How dangerous is a journalist for the security of a regional superpower, as no judicial decision is available to assess the eventual damage produced by the subversive work of this reporter against Russia’s security? Optimists may keep hoping that the problem will be resolved next year, within the initiative to declare 2009 "The Year of the CIS Youth", but the case of Natalia Morari is more serious, as it proves that the pivot country of the CIS, Russia, is practicing arbitrary punishments both at level of interstate relations such as commercial embargoes against Moldova, and at level of individuals. As regards the embargoes against Moldova, consequences were expectable after the Russian State Duma adopted three menacing resolutions in February 2005, but nobody is capable to forecast anything concerning individuals. This is called resolving humanitarian problems in the CIS.
Despite all facts above, the CIS Summit in Chisinau was useful. He provided a pretext to open a new propagandistic wave. On its background, during the visit of Vladimir Putin, some Moldovan media outlets resumed and spread the slogan about "the pro-Russia European integration of the Republic of Moldova". This brain wave is very important when citizens make efforts to register the organisation "Russia’s Friends in Moldova" with the Ministry of Justice. What "Russia’s Friends in Moldova" are needed for when the strategic goal of authorities – the European integration – is a pro-Russia process? If recalling that Russia and Belarus are geographically part of Europe, nobody may contest that the European integration and the integration into the Russia-Belarus Union do not coincide.
In fact, propagandistic actions taken over the CIS Summit prove the hot battle for the support of the Russian-speaking electorate in Moldova, as this segment counts for approximately 25–30 percent or even more, depending on the electoral turnout. Finally, there are some words to be said about the results of the summit; "the 34 approved documents include the economic development strategy of the Commonwealth until 2020, key cooperation directions to develop transports, ensure food security, coordinate migration policies, currency regulation, concerning agriculture, humanitarian matters, especially relating to youth, etc." The summit has also discussed some delicate issues, but no information is available in this respect.
A new football club has earned a leading place in the UEFA Champions League groups and starred in the headlines of worldwide football news yesterday. The Football Club Sheriff Tiraspol claimed a win with the score 2-1 against Real Madrid on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. That made Sheriff Tiraspol the leader in Group D of the Champions League, including the football club in the groups of the most important European interclub competition for the first time ever.
International media outlets called it a miracle, a shock and a historic event, while strongly emphasizing the origin of the team and the existing political conflict between the two banks of the Dniester. “Football club from a pro-Russian separatist enclave in Moldova pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history,” claimed the news portals. “Sheriff crushed Real!” they said.
Moldovans made a big fuss out of it on social media, splitting into two groups: those who praised the team and the Republic of Moldova for making history and those who declared that the football club and their merits belong to Transnistria – a problematic breakaway region that claims to be a separate country.
Both groups are right and not right at the same time, as there is a bunch of ethical, political, social and practical matters that need to be considered.
Is it Moldova?
First of all, every Moldovan either from the right or left bank of Dniester (Transnistria) is free to identify himself with this achievement or not to do so, said Vitalie Spranceana, a sociologist, blogger, journalist and urban activist. According to him, boycotting the football club for being a separatist team is wrong.
At the same time, “it’s an illusion to think that territory matters when it comes to football clubs,” Spranceana claimed. “Big teams, the ones included in the Champions League, have long lost their connection both with the countries in which they operate, and with the cities in which they appeared and to which they linked their history. […] In the age of globalized commercial football, teams, including the so-called local ones, are nothing more than global traveling commercial circuses, incidentally linked to cities, but more closely linked to all sorts of dirty, semi-dirty and cleaner cash flows.”
What is more important in this case is the consistency, not so much of citizens, as of politicians from the government who have “no right to celebrate the success of separatism,” as they represent “the national interests, not the personal or collective pleasures of certain segments of the population,” believes the political expert Dionis Cenusa. The victory of FC Sheriff encourages Transnistrian separatism, which receives validation now, he also stated.
“I don’t know how it happens that the “proud Moldovans who chose democracy”, in their enthusiasm for Sheriff Tiraspol’s victory over Real Madrid, forget the need for total and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Transnistria!” declared the journalist Vitalie Ciobanu.
Nowadays, FC Sheriff Tiraspol has no other choice than to represent Moldova internationally. For many years, the team used the Moldovan Football Federation in order to be able to participate in championships, including international ones. That is because the region remains unrecognised by the international community. However, the club’s victory is presented as that of Transnistria within the region, without any reference to the Republic of Moldova, its separatist character being applied in this case especially.
Is it a victory?
In fact, FC Sheriff Tiraspol joining the Champions League is a huge image breakthrough for the Transnistrian region, as the journalist Madalin Necsutu claimed. It is the success of the Tiraspol Club oligarchic patrons. From the practical point of view, FC Sheriff Tiraspol is a sports entity that serves its own interests and the interests of its owners, being dependent on the money invested by Tiraspol (but not only) oligarchs.
Here comes the real dilemma: the Transnistrian team, which is generously funded by money received from corruption schemes and money laundering, is waging an unequal fight with the rest of the Moldovan football clubs, the journalist also declared. The Tiraspol team is about to raise 15.6 million euro for reaching the Champions League groups and the amounts increase depending on their future performance. According to Necsutu, these money will go directly on the account of the club, not to the Moldovan Football Federation, creating an even bigger gab between FC Sheriff and other football clubs from Moldova who have much more modest financial possibilities.
“I do not see anything useful for Moldovan football, not a single Moldovan player is part of FC Sheriff Tiraspol. I do not see anything beneficial for the Moldovan Football Federation or any national team.”
Is it only about football?
FC Sheriff Tiraspol, with a total estimated value of 12.8 million euros, is controlled by Victor Gusan and Ilya Kazmala, being part of Sheriff Holding – a company that controls the trade of wholesale, retail food, fuels and medicine by having monopolies on these markets in Transnistria. The holding carries out car trading activities, but also operates in the field of construction and real estate. Gusan’s people also hold all of the main leadership offices in the breakaway region, from Parliament to the Prime Minister’s seat or the Presidency.
The football club is supported by a holding alleged of smuggling, corruption, money laundering and organised crime. Moldovan media outlets published investigations about the signals regarding the Sheriff’s holding involvement in the vote mobilization and remuneration of citizens on the left bank of the Dniester who participated in the snap parliamentary elections this summer and who were eager to vote for the pro-Russian socialist-communist bloc.
Considering the above, there is a great probability that the Republic of Moldova will still be represented by a football club that is not identified as being Moldovan, being funded from obscure money, growing in power and promoting the Transnistrian conflict in the future as well.
Photo: unknown
Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Natalia Gavrilita, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nicu Popescu, pay an official visit to Brussels, between September 27-28, being invited by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles.
Today, Prime Minister had a meeting with Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The Moldovan PM thanked the senior European official for the support of the institution in strengthening democratic processes, reforming the judiciary and state institutions, economic recovery and job creation, as well as increasing citizens’ welfare. Natalia Gavrilita expressed her confidence that the current visit laid the foundations for boosting relations between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union, so that, in the next period, it would be possible to advance high-level dialogues on security, justice and energy. Officials also exchanged views on priorities for the Eastern Partnership Summit, to be held in December.
“The EU is open to continue to support the Republic of Moldova and the ambitious reform agenda it proposes. Moldova is an important and priority partner for us,” said Charles Michel.
Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita also met with Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy, expressing her gratitude for the support received through the OMNIBUS macro-financial assistance program. The two officials discussed the need to advance the recovery of money from bank fraud, to strengthen sustainable mechanisms for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Moldova, and to standardize the customs and taxes as one of the main conditions for deepening cooperation with the EU in this field.
Additionally, Prime Minister spoke about the importance of the Eastern Partnership and the Deep Free Trade Agreement, noting that the Government’s policies are aimed at developing an economic model aligned with the European economic model, focused on digitalization, energy efficiency and the green economy.
A common press release of the Moldovan Prime Minister with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles, took place today, where the agenda of Moldova’s reforms and the main priorities to focus on in the coming months were presented: judiciary reform; fighting COVID-19 pandemic; promoting economic recovery and conditions for growth and job creation; strengthening state institutions and resilience of the country.
“I am here to relaunch the dialogue between my country and the European Union. Our partnership is strong, but I believe there is room for even deeper cooperation and stronger political, economic and sectoral ties. I am convinced that this partnership is the key to the prosperity of our country and I hope that we will continue to strengthen cooperation.”
The Moldovan delegation met Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice. Tomorrow, there are scheduled common meetings with Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport and Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy.
Prime Minister will also attend a public event, along with Katarina Mathernova, Deputy Director-General for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
Photo: gov.md
Politics
Promo-LEX about Maia Sandu’s UN speech: The president must insist on appointing a rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Transnistria
The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, pays an official visit to New York, USA, between September 21-22. There, she participates in the work of the United Nations General Assembly. According to a press release of the President’s Office, the official will deliver a speech at the tribune of the United Nations.
In this context, the Promo-LEX Association suggested the president to request the appointment of a special rapporteur in order to monitor the situation of human rights in the Transnistrian region. According to Promo-LEX, the responsibility for human rights violations in the Transnistrian region arises as a result of the Russian Federation’s military, economic and political control over the Tiraspol regime.
“We consider it imperative to insist on the observance of the international commitments assumed by the Russian Federation regarding the withdrawal of the armed forces and ammunition from the territory of the country,” the representatives of Promo-LEX stated. They consider the speech before the UN an opportunity “to demand the observance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Russian Federation with reference to this territory which is in its full control.”
“It is important to remember about the numerous cases of murder, torture, ill-treatment, forced enlistment in illegal military structures, the application of pseudo-justice in the Transnistrian region, all carried out under the tacit agreement of the Russian Federation. These findings stem from dozens of rulings and decisions issued by the European Court of Human Rights, which found that Russia is responsible for human rights violations in the region.”
The association representatives expressed their hope that the president of the country would give priority to issues related to the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region and would call on relevant international actors to contribute to guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms throughout Moldova.
They asked Maia Sandu to insist on the observance of the obligation to evacuate the ammunition and the military units of the Russian Federation from the territory of the Republic of Moldova, to publicly support the need for the Russian Federation to implement the ECtHR rulings on human rights violations in the Transnistrian region, and to request the appointment of an UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur to monitor the human rights situation in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova.
**
The Promo-LEX Association concluded that 14 out of 25 actions planned within the National Action Plan for the years 2018–2022 concerning respecting human rights in Transnistria were not carried out by the responsible authorities.
The association expressed its concern and mentioned that there are a large number of delays in the planned results. “There is a lack of communication and coordination between the designated institutions, which do not yet have a common vision of interaction for the implementation of the plan.”
Promo-LEX requested the Government of the Republic of Moldova to re-assess the reported activities and to take urgent measures, “which would exclude superficial implementation of future activities and increase the level of accountability of the authorities.”
Photo: peacekeeping.un.org
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