Politics
To what extent the Moldovan communism can be considered ideology
Reading Time: 4 minutesWhile reading the article from the newspaper “Timpul”: „Tkaciuk îi propune lui Voronin „zece paşi” de lichidare a statului R. Moldova” („Tkaciuk suggests Voronin „ten steps” to liquidate the statehood of the R. Moldova”), I think that even if on the letter taken as picture and made public by Internet, there is no “live” signature of Mark Tkaciuk, everything that is written there seems very credible, because we have already felt all of those during the communist government, even though we have had “occasion” to see this in printed form only now.
By Andrei Munteanu
Chisinau (Moldova.ORG) – While reading the article from the newspaper “Timpul”: „Tkaciuk îi propune lui Voronin „zece paşi” de lichidare a statului R. Moldova” („Tkaciuk suggests Voronin „ten steps” to liquidate the statehood of the R. Moldova”), I think that even if on the letter taken as picture and made public by Internet, there is no “live” signature of Mark Tkaciuk, everything that is written there seems very credible, because we have already felt all of those during the communist government, even though we have had “occasion” to see this in printed form only now.
The suggestions are more than destructive for the population of the R.M., they are some manifestations of pathological and unimaginable hatred, by which the population of the country is not merely ill-treated and humiliated – it is treated as having no sufficient capacities to make distinctions between: (i) lie and truth, (ii) tolerance and humility, (iii) meritocracy and impostorism, (iv) credibility and insinuations, (v) liderism and dictatorship, (vi) slavery and freedom/independence, (vii) that not every form of existence can be regarded as human living, etc., etc.
I am sure Tkaciuk in other societal milieus would not have dared to write something like that. Nevertheless, even if he forgets, we can remind him that despite everything he wrote to his „boss”, there is something he has not, seemingly, enough capacities to feel – the wisdom of the Moldovan people, which even if he does not perceive, this will help us withstand and get rid of much of the evil, including his diabolic „ideas”, and those of his comrades.
Those facts set forth in the „Tkaciuk’s epistle” makes me believe even more, that in line with many other evil things done by the communists previously, lead me to a thought supposed to be asked frankly – if any form of social behavior, such as that of the Moldovan communists including, deserves to be considered as an ideology?
Thus, we have “scored” so far the following serious arguments, which we should think about:
(i) attack on universities from the time of their (communists’) government;
(ii) refusal of the former CPRM’s candidate to take part in the public debates in the electoral campaign for the mayor’s office of Chisinau;
(iii) Vladimir Voronin’s refusal to take part in the TV program „În profunzime” (”In Depth”), on Pro-TV,
(iv) V. Voronin’s refusal to take part in the public duel when invited by LDPM leader (and current Prime-Minister) Vlad Filat,
(v) evidence on embezzlements committed by the communist government while disseminating the assistance for the floods-affected people in the summer of 2008, etc., and now Tkaciuk…,
have made me think of the idea as follows.
The Romanian explanatory Dictionary (DEX) provides a definition as follows: „IDEOLOGY, ideologies, f.n. Entirety of ideas and philosophical, moral, religious concepts, etc. which reflect, in a theoretical form, interests and aspirations of some categories in a certain epoch. ♦ P. restr. Entirety of ideas and concepts which constitute the theoretical part of a current, of a system, etc. ♦ The science which has as a subject of research the study of ideas, of laws and of their origins. [Pr.: -de-o-] – From fr. idéologie.”
The Freedictionary.com defines ideology as: (1). The body of ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual, group, class, or culture. (2). A set of doctrines or beliefs that form the basis of a political, economic, or other system.
When comparing the mentioned above with regard to communists of the R.M. and those definitions of both DEX and the Freedictionary.com we can believe, even for the sake of mere rhetoric, that the notion of ideology needs to be associated with a “basement” of ideas and/or a cognitive basis, which might support an ideology or another. Of those several situations of communists’ behavior mentioned, we can notice that none of them displays any existence of any kind of cognitive basis, because this, most probably misses with them, and respectively, any confrontation of ideas for them means new disclosures of their real intentions.
On the other hand, should we make a comparison between those several mean deeds, committed and/or admitted by the Moldovan communists, one cannot notice something which might be associated with any: „…philosophical, moral, religious concept etc.”, and if we admit that they manifest some aspirations of „a category in a certain epoch”, they do not have as grounds any religion, philosophy or morality, except for several thoughts which imply a form of manifestation, which is far from being compatible with any idea and/or ideology. Ranking equally the communism and an ideology, is like admitting that there could exist an „ideology of gulags” and/or ideology of penitentiaries, ideology of crime… Thus, not any drive is an ideology. The behavior of the communists make me believe that not any thought and/or form of thinking can be considered idea in general. The first perceptions that emerge in my mind with regard to a word idea is something positive, constructive, edifying, great, noble, innovative, innovation, which implies sustainability, an idea implies the need to associate it with the product of an intellectual, mobilizing effort, with the output a period of positive thinking, and no way with any of the facts, mentioned already and well-known, of the Moldovan communists.
Thus, it is worth paying attention that Moldovan communists behavior can be more associated with a form of social deviance, even social pathology, which deserves to be approached promptly and unequivocally – in order to avoid profaning the notions of idea and ideology by using the word combination of „communist ideology”, or the latter, does not seem to exist; although we have been imposed to use it for tens of years and hundreds of times, it is high time admit it as a banal stereotype, by which our society is affected still quite hard.
Any nation with sound aspirations for development needs ideology or ideologies in true sense of the word, human capacities based on cognitive and attitudinal abilities, by which one could make distinction between a „system” and the need of its functioning on logical grounds, first of all, instead of just mere „instinctive convulsions”, as noticed in some forms of behavior, of Moldovan communists including. It is high time to admit that communism is a social pathology and has nothing to do with any ideology.
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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