Posted on 03/18/2005 9:33:22 AM PST by lizol
Russia considers sanctions against Moldova 18/03/2005 - 08:07:33
The Russian government is weighing a variety of economic sanctions that could be imposed against Moldova in retaliation for what it considers unfriendly actions by the former Soviet republic, the Interfax news agency today quoted a top Russian diplomat as saying.
The lower house of parliament, the State Duma, recommended last month that the Kremlin consider imposing sanctions to protest what MPs called its political blockade of the breakaway, Russian-speaking region of Trans-Dniester.
The proposed sanctions included imposing an embargo on Moldovan alcohol and tobacco products, increasing the price of Russian energy supplies and requiring entry visas for Moldovan nationals, many of whom live and work in Russia. None of the changes would affect residents of Trans-Dniester.
“The State Duma’s declaration was taken in all seriousness. It is an important and timely document, which received an appropriate reaction in Moldova,” Interfax quoted First Deputy Prime Minister Valery Loshchinin as saying.
The Agriculture and Economic Development Ministries have already made proposals, and the Foreign Ministry is awaiting suggestions from the Fuel and Energy Ministry so that it can decide “in what way we can apply the appropriate economic levers in light of the unfriendly actions of the Moldovan leadership”.
The elected leader is communist, no?
This sounds totally symbolic. Russia has no common border with Moldova, and Ukraine won't support the Russians on this.
I'm not up to speed on the situation in Moldova, what 'unfriendly' actions are they referring to?
Yup and very pro-EU, so pro, that only EU "observers" were allowed in.
Further, Moldovia is the only former Soviet republic with an elected communist party. Kuchma was supported by the West when he was elected, just like Shevarnazde and others.
Yeah, that's why the conservative parties lean away from the European (Soviet) Union but the communists are in a love feast. But keep trying to explain that away.
"For us in Russia communism is a dead dog. For many people in the West, it is still a living lion." -- Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Also that their economy is so dirt poor that many young women sell themselves into the East European sex trade.
btt
They want DESPERATELY to be a puppet. They just hope (maybe someone from the West has whispered it in their ears) that by being puppet of EU they will get more pennies because Europe is richer than Russia. So much for "freedom and democracy".
MACHIAVELLI: DISCOURSES, BOOK ONE, CHAPTER XVI
A PEOPLE ACCUSTOMED TO LIVING UNDER A PRINCE, IF BY SOME ACCIDENT BECOMES FREE, MAINTAINS ITS LIBERTY WITH DIFFICULTY
Many examples derived from the records of ancient history will show how difficult it is for a people used to living under a Prince to preserve their liberty after they had by some accident acquired it, as Rome acquired it after driving out the Tarquins.
And such difficulty is reasonable; because that people is nothing else other than a brute animal, which ((although by nature ferocious and wild)) has always been brought up in prison and servitude, (and) which later being left by chance free in a field, (and) not being accustomed to (obtain) food or not knowing where to find shelter for refuge, becomes prey to the first one who seeks to enchain it again.
This same thing happens to a people, who being accustomed to living under governments of others, not knowing to reason either on public defense or offense, not knowing the Princes or being known by them, return readily under a yoke, which often times is more heavy than that which a short time before had been taken from their necks: and they find themselves in this difficulty, even though the people is not wholly corrupt;[...]
Most of their trade goes to Russia.
Because they hope now, that EU will give them more money.
And Russia loves having puppets and is very upset when a puppet wants to finich such a relatnionship.
Such is politics, every major independent powers loves having puppets and so does EU, US, etc ... Poland centuries ago also had her puppets, and it is a pleasant memory.
The question is if the small or middle size country can have its own policy. Machiavelli seems to think that it more matter of having the unbroken tradition of independence and having experienced, cohesive and patriotic political elite.
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