Dubossary, 2 March. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. A roundtable discussion has been held today in Dubossary's local history museum to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the beginning of Moldova's aggression against Pridnestrovie. Participants and eyewitnesses of those events shared their recollections about this tragic period in the history of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. The roundtable was attended by the first president Igor Smirnov, Chairman of the Supreme Council Alexander Shcherba, State Adviser to the President Anna Volkova, the leadership of Dubossary district, members of patriotic organisations and political parties, history teachers.
«It is the first time we are holding such an event at the republican level, although each year on 2 March we recall our deceased heroes who gave lives for the future of Pridnestrovie. On that day in 1992, the Republic of Moldova launched a large-scale military operation. We will always remember this memorable date," said the head of the Dubossary State Administration, Ruslan Chaban.
Bloodshed in Dubossary occurred immediately after the young republic had been proclaimed. From 1990 to 1992 there were four attempts to restore constitutional order in Dubossary by force of arms. People were killed in the city as a result of these armed attacks. Conference participants paid tribute to the memory of all the deceased heroes of Pridnestrovie.
«We were ahead of time back then — we defended the Russian world! We tried by all means to avoid bloodshed. For 25 years, we have defended our right to live in our country and speak our native language. We have paid a very high price for our independence. Dubossary residents were the first who lived through all the tragiс ordeals. This patriotic spirit was implanted in the Soviet people at school. Let me express gratitude to the teachers who taught us to love our Fatherland and remain loyal to it," underscored the first president, Igor Smirnov.
Presidential adviser Anna Volkova called Dubossary a «Brest fortress» in her books. She believes that the republic must popularise the history of Pridnestrovie so that the young generation could know well how the state was created.
«We remember well how in the late '80s — early '90s the leadership of the Republic of Moldova were conducting ideological work, organising both the Grand National Assembly and meetings in Dubossary. Then it escalated into a military aggression. Dubossary residents did not give in, but, on the contrary, they stood firm and saved the republic. This should not be reflected in textbooks only, but also become part of educational work," said Anna Volkova.
Roundtable participants were unanimous in the opinion that civil and patriotic work should be enhanced in cultural and educational institutions. The founders of the Pridnestrovian state also decided to request President Krasnoselsky to include in the list of questions for the certification of civil servants those about the history of the establishment and protection of the republic. In addition, according to discussion participants, members of patriotic NGOs should take part in recording the recollections of participants in the 1990−1992 events and prepare them for publication.
