Secessionist Leaders, Russia Hail Transdnestria Referendum

The authorities of breakaway South Ossetia and Abkhazia welcomed the results of a referendum in Moldova?s breakaway region of Transdnestria in which, according to the official reports, vast majority of voters supported independence and future unification with Russia.

?For us, South Ossetia, this is a good example and I am sure that our voting will not end with lesser results,? the South Ossetian Press and Information Committee quoted South Ossetian Prime Minister Yuri Morozov as saying on September 18.

Breakaway South Ossetia will hold an independence referendum on November 12 ? the same day that presidential elections are scheduled in the unrecognized republic.

Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh said that the international community should not neglect the results of the Transdnestria referendum, Apsnypress news agency reported on September 18.

?Sooner or later the international community will also have to take into account the will of the multi-national people of Abkhazia,? he said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on September 18 that the overwhelming support for unification with Russia in the Transdnestria referendum was predictable, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

“This further proves that conflicts should be resolved in line with available agreements,? Lavrov said, adding that withdrawal of one of the parties from talks, as Moldova did it, could lead to a new crisis.

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