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Russia livid over Moldova's 'Soviet Occupation Day' decree (Update)

© RIA Novosti . Ruslan Shalapuda / Go to the mediabankMoldova's acting president Mihai Ghimpu
Moldova's acting president Mihai Ghimpu - Sputnik International
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Moscow regards Moldova's decision to institute "Soviet Occupation Day" as an element of "a preplanned political campaign spearheaded against Russian-Moldovan partnership," the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Moscow regards Moldova's decision to institute "Soviet Occupation Day" as an element of "a preplanned political campaign spearheaded against Russian-Moldovan partnership," the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Moldova's acting president Mihai Ghimpu on Thursday promulgated a decree establishing June 28 as Soviet Occupation Day in the country and ordering "a monument to victims of Soviet occupation and the totalitarian communist regime to be erected in front of the government building." The decree also promoted nationwide commemorative events.

On June 28, 1940, at a USSR request, royal Romania withdrew its troops from Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina, which it had been occupying since 1918, and the region joined the Soviet Union. Moldavian SSR, including six Bessarabia districts as well as six areas from the left bank of the Dnester, was established in August 1940.

"This is not the first time pseudo-historic interpretations of the causes and results of World War II...have been used to justify short-term decisions, made purely in the interests of the ruling elite and contrary to the national interests of the state," a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry issued on Friday said.

"Ghimpu's decision was taken individually, without other members of the Alliance for European Integration. There are norms for adopting laws, that must be followed, but Ghimpu has not attempted to discuss his initiative in parliament," Moldovan Democratic Party leader Marian Lupu said.

Ghimpu was made acting Moldovan leader in September 2009 when the country's liberal-democratic coalition was forced to find a compromise after failing to appoint another candidate. Ghimpu is known for his sweeping pro-Romanian policies. Recent polls show that Ghimpu's popularity rating is less than 2%.

MOSCOW, June 25 (RIA Novosti)

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