CHISINAU, August 5 (Itar-Tass) —— Thousands of people in Balti, Moldova, went outdoors on Sunday to thwart a demonstration of supporters of the unification with Romania organized by the Action 2012 public movement favoring the liquidation of the Moldovan state.
The action was held under the slogan, “True patriots of Moldova don’t speak Russian,” which caused indignation of city residents and representatives of some leftist parties and public organizations based in Chisinau, the Gagauz autonomous region and some other places.
“Forces interested in the disappearance of the Moldovan state are behind the march of supporters of the unification with Romania,” Balti Mayor Vasile Panciuk said. “People of 60 nationalities live in the city, and there have never been ethnic conflicts here. Certain forces are trying to make us quarrel now,” he said.
Reinforced police patrols were brought to the city center for preventing clashes, but small clashes occurred between the sides and with the police. A number of people were detained.
“Police are capable of ensuring law and order in Balti in spite of the appeals for violence made in the street,” the Moldovan Interior Ministry’s public order department head said.
Judging by opinion polls, the idea of Moldova-Romania unification is not very popular in Moldova. Only 10% of Moldovans, mostly artists and intellectuals, support this union. Rotten eggs were thrown at a similar march of Action 2012 in Cahul two weeks ago. Similar actions in Chisinau were accompanied with clashes.