Moldova: 32 Years After a War Russia Started
The Nistru War began on March 2, 1992. In the 32 years since, various terms have been used to describe this conflict.
In the analytical community on the right bank of the Nistru River, the term "political conflict with a broad geopolitical dimension" has become common, according to expert Victor Juc. On the other hand, Alexandru Cerbu, former chief physician at the Tighina Emergency Medical Station during the conflict, mentions that the majority of combatants use the term "Moldovan-Russian war" , even though at the time of its outbreak, the Republic of Moldova did not yet have a National Army.
The military conflict was artificially generated by Moscow to prevent the collapse of the Soviet empire, said Victor Juc, director of the Institute for Legal, Political and Sociological Research, at the public debate "32 Years of an Unfinished War" organised by IPN Agency.
"Everyone understood that it was Russia's interference. The element of civil war was largely rejected by most involved. It was not an interethnic conflict. If there had been an ethnic element, it would have been much bloodier and more violent," Alexandru Cerbu said.
In turn, expert Igor Boțan mentioned that representatives of the international community, especially the negotiators, use the term "dispute".
"The Nistru War has become common in popular use because it was indeed a war, a Moldovan-Russian war because the 14th Army was involved. On the part of the Republic of Moldova, the police were fighting, and on the other side were representatives of the former 14th Army equipped with weapons. Normally, those who are involved in resolving the conflict call it a dispute to emphasise how neutral they are in their stance," said Igor Boțan.
The Nistru War lasted from March 2 to July 21, 1992. According to some estimates, about 1,000 people died on both sides, including 400 civilians, and another 4,500 people were injured.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
