"OLVIA-PRESS"

PUBLIC ASSOCIATIONS FROM DNIESTRIA GET ACTIVELY READY FOR THE CIS COUNTRIES’ SUMMIT

The public of the Dniester Moldavian Republic get actively ready for one of the most important events in the CIS countries life – the summit, which will take place in early October in Kishinev, as the press agency “Olvia-press” has already informed you.

According to the piece of information given to the agency by the Presidential Administration chief of department of working with public associations Boris Shtefan, on the eve of the summit, the Russian, Ukrainian, and Belorussian national-cultural associations had appealed to Presidents of Russia, Ukraine, and Belorussia with invitation to visit Dniestria for meeting with fellow citizens.

The letter of the public association "The Union of Russian Communities of Dniestria", addressed to the RF President Vladimir Putin, says the following:

“Dear Mr. Putin,

In the Dniestrian territory, there live about 200 000 ethnic Russians, the majority of whom are the RF citizens. Unfortunately, our small state is not recognized legally, and of course, it is very difficult, uncomfortable, and alarming to live in such a region. Russia is the only hope for many people, and they with heart-sank follow changes, occurring with respect to their fellow countrymen. Namely during your presidency we saw that protection of Russian, living abroad, is one of priority directions of the Russian Federation policy.

To our disappointment, lately our sureness in maternal support from Russia has weakened. We need your support. We need it in domain of providing our security, of economic, educational, and cultural assistance. There is a topical matter of receiving RF citizenship by those people who are Russians not only by their nationality but were also born in the immense territory of Russia.

Knowing that you will participate in the CIS Summit in Kishinev, which will take place in October 2002, we ask you to meet with your fellow citizens, living in Dniestria. We hope that this meeting will contribute to urgent resolution of accumulated problems.

By commission of

the Coordinating Council of all associations of fellow countrymen,

Chairman of the Union of Russian Communities of Dniestria,

the Archpriest Dionisiy Abramov"

***

The press agency “Olvia-press” also received a letter from the DMR public association “The Union of Dniestrian Ukrainians named after O. But”, addressed to the President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma. The letter says the following:

“Dear Mr. Kuchma,

Ukrainians make up the third of the Dniestria’s population. Tens of thousands of them are already the citizens of Ukraine. Revival of Ukrainian self-consciousness and culture in our land is impossible with assistance, and maternal protection from Ukraine.

Knowing that you are very busy, we however would like to take advantage of the fact that the CIS Summit will take place in Kishinev. We ask you to search opportunity to visit Dniestria and meet with the Ukrainian Diaspora.

With respect,

Head of the Union of Dniestrian Ukrainians

Vladimir Bodnar".

***

About ten thousand Belorussians live in the Dniester Moldavian Republic, that’s why the arrival of the Belorussian President Alexander Lukashenko to the CIS Summit plays a big role in life of the Belorussian public. Besides, the fact the Summit will be carried out in Kishinev represents a favorable case for the Belorussian Diaspora to invite Alexander Lukashenko to our Republic.

The press agency “Olvia-press" received a letter, addressed to the President of the Republic of Belarus on behalf of the Dniestrian Republican Diaspora “The Belorussian Culture”.

The letter says,

“Dear Mr. Lukashenko, 10000 of our fellow countrymen – Belorussians – living in the DMR, need assistance and protection from our Motherland - Belarus.

Knowing your interest in carrying out the CIS Summit in Kishinev in October 2002, we ask you to find opportunity to visit Dniestria and meet with the Belorussian Diaspora.

With strong respect,

Chairman of Diaspora “The Belorussian Culture”

Anna Lopatieva".