PGTRK: Tomorrow is June 19th. The date is sad for us. 27 years have passed, but we still remember the events of 1992. More that 800 dead, thousands wounded. Vadim Nikolayevich, what does this day mean for you?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President: This is a tragedy. The date that has divided life before and after for many people. If you talk to people in Bendery, of course, of the corresponding generation, listen to their memories, they always say: before the war and after the war. People's memory is alive. Few expected that in 27 years it will be so acute. This has its own explanation. There is a factor of injustice towards the people of Pridnestrovie. This is fundamental. When there is injustice, it does not allow to forget. Officially, the armed aggression of Moldova against Pridnestrovie did not begin on June 19, but in March. Before that there were already conflict situations, there were killings of innocent people. June 19 was the culmination of armed aggression against Pridnestrovie - against the Bendery and not only. I want to remind you what caused the injustice, the course of events. Just two days before the beginning of the armed aggression, before the invasion of Bendery, the Moldovan Parliament decides on an exclusively peaceful settlement of the Pridnestrovian issue, after which Bendery were unblocked. There were roadblocks at which armed men were on duty in all directions. The city was opened because there was a decision of the Parliament, there were agreements. As soon as the city was opened, on June 19 the invasion began from three sides: columns of armed people entered from Kishinev, Kaushansky and Varnitsa directions. They were thrown against Bendery, in fact, against civilians. I will tell you, as a military man, that when the parliament made a decision on the peaceful settlement of the Pridnestrovian conflict, the machines for the invasion were already warming up, an order was issued to invade. It is impossible to collect such a number of people, to provide them with food and clothing — in two hours. This is mobilization work. Whoever does this is well aware that this is simply not done. It was a planned action. It was planned long before the parliamentary decision. Here is the value of this decision. After the invasion killed civilians - women and children. This is injustice. We, in fact, were deceived. I am convinced that if the city had not been unblocked, many victims would have been avoided. The enemy would be met at the roadblock. Civilians would have the opportunity to hide or leave Bendery.
The second factor of injustice towards us is that so far no one has answered this massacre, for this invasion. I am not talking about the Moldovan people. Moldovan people are injured. People died, by and large not understanding why. The political leaders of the former Moldavian SSR, who became the leaders of Moldova, the former communists, who pit against to fight Moldovan and Pridnestrovian peoples are guilty. Therefore, political, legal and historical assessment is needed to punish those responsible for the slaughter. After all, there was no national conflict, there was a territorial conflict. Many Pridnestrovian advocates are Moldovans by nationality. On the part of Moldova, many Russians and Ukrainians fought against Pridnestrovie. Orders were given by specific people. And it's not just about June 19th. This includes the killing of innocent people - Ostapenko, Deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the MSSR (he was shot in the back), Gusar. Who is responsible for these crimes? This is elementary terrorism. It is impossible to negotiate with terrorists. They must be tried and held accountable. Then, without understanding, they were awarded orders. We must get an answer, who gave the order, and for this order the perpetrators must be held accountable. There are precedents in the world. Former war criminals are prosecuted in Ireland, Chile, and former Soviet republics. We are a peaceful state. There will be people's tribunal. We need to hear who is guilty and what happened. An army should not be thrown against civilians.
PGTRK: As they say, crimes against humanity do not have a statute of limitations. To give a political and legal assessment of those events is one of the five questions that you asked the President of Moldova Igor Dodon, and which, as you know, is still silent. Vadim Nikolayevich, what assessment are you waiting for? What can Igor Dodon answer - does he admit or not?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President: I do not want to be responsible for Mr. Dodon. I addressed this question to him. We need legal and historical assessment. Why is that? Just repenting is not enough. Repentance will not solve the problem. I will give, maybe, a rough example, but indicative. Neighbors live on the same stairwell landing. And one neighbor decided to take possession of the woman of his neighbor, kills him and tries to encroach on her honor and dignity. The neighbor (she) gave him a fight. It has been 27 years, and he asks her forgiveness. She answers him that it is not necessary to ask for forgiveness, let the court speak out. We have the same situation. Not repent. Give legal and legal assessment. And when there will be an assessment, you can come to repentance.
PGTRK: Meeting with our veterans defenders of Pridnestrovie was held on the eve in St. Petersburg. Tomorrow, June 19, a similar meeting will be held in Moscow. In your opinion, how important is it to talk about the events of 1992 and does the world need to know about it?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President: Of course, necessary. Tomorrow Moscow will host an event of different format, on another site. A round table will be held, which will be devoted to the inevitability of punishments for the losses suffered by Pridnestrovie in 91-92. The participants of this round table are lawyers, politicians, former employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, whose jurisdiction once included the giving of certain evaluations. They will once again mark the legal basis of our independence, talk about all the nuances of that war and discuss the question of the inevitability of punishment for killing people. Conclusions will be reflected in the relevant resolution, we honor and listen to it. We have to show the world what happened, that after the collapse of the united state, some politicians simply “exploded”. Once they led the Moldavian SSR, were communists. What happened to them? He was a member of the party, received Soviet education. What happened to him if he gives the command to attack against his people? He understands that there will be victims, peaceful people will die. What is going on in the minds of such people, I cannot understand. This is the work of psychologists, not just lawyers. Personally, I cannot understand. These are not just people who have fallen from somewhere. These are those who led the people, talked, came here more than once, knew the people, drank a glass of wine with them, and the next day gave the command about the treacherous attack on them.
PGTRK: Vadim Nikolayevich, let's look at the events that are happening in Moldova today. We can say the crisis is in the country. One parliament, then another parliament, police is confused, media headlines that people are leaving the country. They suspend the President, they do not suspend the President. The situation is unique. Vadim Nikolayevich, how does Pridnestrovie relate to the situation with the neighbors, and with whom are we ready to cooperate?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President: If you look at quarter-century history, from the point of view of Moldovan politics there is always one or another political crisis there. The people are constantly split. Part of them looks to the West, someone looks to the East. Naturally, everything is split - parties, people, interests. Frequently, one or another politician moves from one party to another. The process is ongoing.
I always support the will of the people. I have great respect for the Moldovan people. Before the elections, I stated that when the people elect this or that power, we will cooperate and conduct a dialogue with this power. I welcome the coalition. Most importantly, peacefully, without sacrifice. Victims are always bad. Violence is always evil.
There will be a negotiator, he has already been appointed, as I understand, the Minister for Reintegration. I think that they will enter the “5 + 2” format and will actively continue agreements that have already been made. The negotiation process should not be terminated. It must be continued. Today's pause is caused by the events you mentioned. We are waiting for the continuation of the negotiation process. I am convinced that this is not the last metamorphosis. This is inevitable. Society is split. This split is nowhere to hide. No matter how trying to consolidate, I predict that sometimes there will be bursts of political crisis. We must be guided by the will of the people. If the people have defined their vector, then we will work with it.
PGTRK: Moldova is indeed an unpredictable country. One more example. This is a topic that has reappeared in the Moldovan media. It then subsides, then reappears - the federalization of Moldova. The new government says that this issue is not on the agenda at all. Nevertheless, the media continues to raise it. Why would such a resonance?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President: Probably, this is due to somewhat different factor - with speculation. Some politicians, seeking power in the neighboring state, are beginning to speculate on the subject of Pridnestrovie. Remember: they declare federalization, then special status, then preservation of the law of 2005, then again federalization, then they give up their words. Now, again at the edge of the political crisis, they remembered about federalization, about the special status, and then abandoned their statements. You will not understand them, that is the problem.
Let us recall the decision of the parliament of 1992, when everyone guaranteed a peaceful solution of the issue, and two days later there was war. How to believe? How to believe the words of these politicians? I am not accustomed to believing the word and am in doubt about such statements. I believe the Law and the Constitution. If we take the Constitution of the neighboring state and the law of 2005, everything is spelled out there, and the status of Pridnestrovie is defined - without a flag, without a hymn, without a homeland, without honor and dignity. It does not suit us. Whoever says it is impossible to do. First you need to put your legislative base in order. Either repeal the laws, or adopt new ones, change the Constitution. Build a legal platform, and then go ahead. These statements are all for nothing. Therefore, they refused statements - because they understand that they themselves violate their laws, their Constitution.
PGTRK: Especially since our people at the referendum clearly expressed their point of view.
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President: Later about this. Do you understand? This is exceptional speculation. Unfortunately, they cannot understand that in almost thirty years of independent existence of Pridnestrovie, much has changed. New institutions have been formed, the new people have already taken place - Pridnestrovians. And these speculations are absolutely inappropriate. I urge distinguished colleagues to recall that there is a “5 + 2” format, there are certain agreements. There are a lot of unsolved problems on which the lives of ordinary people depend. Solve them. Do not engage in politicking. This is a dead end. We can exist side by side, together, solving common problems, and everything will be fine, and there will never be war.
PGTRK: Vadim Nikolayevich, here I want to ask a personal question, but quite sharp. Do you yourself support the federalization of a neighboring country or not?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President: If we talk about Pridnestrovie, then this question is not in the competence of the President, this is a question in the competence of the people. Only the people are the bearers of the sovereignty of our state, and the people have the right to change the structure of our state. None of the officials, including the President has the right to discuss the status of statehood without the will of the people, and the people spoke clearly and clearly at the referendum - for the independence of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. This is our vector. The entire legal field, starting with the Constitution, serves precisely this purpose. If people vote in a referendum, if it ever takes place, and changes status, then it will be the choice of the people. In any case, I as the President, conductor of the will of the people, conductor of legislation, have no right to change status and talk about it. This is the competence of the people of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. This issue will not be discussed without the people.
PGTRK: Dodon said the day before that he did not rule out destabilization of the situation in the region. The Moldovan side in the JCC stood for calm in the Security Zone. Vadim Nikolayevich, in your opinion, what is happening? Is there some kind of scenario?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President: This is another speculation. I do not know what it is aimed at, to be honest. To make such statements is to cast doubt on the whole peacekeeping operation itself - trilateral, where the basic component is Russian, where there are Moldovan, Pridnestrovian peacekeepers, there are observers from Ukraine. In addition, there is the Joint Military Command of the peacekeeping forces, there is the Joint Control Commission. These institutions are designed to monitor the situation, make statements and talk about tensions or tensions. These institutions do not make any statements - everything is calm, everything is stable. From where President Dodon took and invented destabilization, we must ask him. This is not true. This is an attempt to cast a shadow on peacekeeping operation, and this is not good. We have the most successful peacekeeping operation. There were no serious conflicts in all 27 years. If Mr. Dodon speaks, he must answer for his words. Each word has its own weight and energy. We need to think about the consequences of such statements. We are not aggressors, we are not going to attack anyone, and we are not going to destabilize either. We can stand up for ourselves, but we will never be the initiators of aggression. This I can tell you for sure.
PGTRK: Another question. A lot of speculation about this. This is a gas issue. What is the situation like? What to do - to believe or not to believe?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President: In this issue, many were noted - only the lazy do not argue. In my opinion, only I have not yet spoken about this. Indeed, the question is relevant, and many ask. Those people who declare that Russia will not supply gas, appropriate themselves powers. Not for them to decide. Russia and Ukraine solve. There are two presidents - Putin and Zelensky. There are certain economic and geopolitical interests. These presidents decide. I am sure that common sense will triumph, and the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine will be preserved. It is not the competence of President Dodon or President Krasnoselsky to resolve this issue. Once again I say, in this situation there is President Putin and President Zelensky. They decide. I am convinced, and all about it says that the transit of gas will be saved. All fares will be saved, as in 2019. Privileges, tariffs remain. Request to people - do not worry. The question is acute, but, by and large, you do not need to react to it like that. Everything will be fine. The burner will burn, it will be warm in the house. Do not fall for speculation. Once again I say that this question is not on our plane, but of course we will do everything that depends on us. There is a draft law on gas, where everything will be agreed. Property of Pridnestrovie is untouchable. The entire transport system is the property of the Pridnestrovian people. As for other relationships, this is a separate conversation. Citizens do not have to worry.
PGTRK: Returning to June 19. The program is rich, a lot of activities. They will be held throughout the country. Will you invite all Pridnestrovians?
Vadim Krasnoselsky, the PMR President: I will and I must. The defenders of Pridnestrovie are buried not only in Bendery, they are buried throughout our republic. I ask all citizens of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic to pay tribute to the memory of our defenders, our heroes, to come to the memorials, lay flowers, go in mourning march, remember what happened, remember the dead. This is our story, our truth. The past must be remembered, so as not to repeat the tragedy in the future.
