I knew about this event, but had planned to work the whole day. I practiced at the Academy of Music from 8-9, attended an intense Romanian language class from 9-11, and then was back at the Academy to meet with a student to learn about Moldovan kaval from 11-12.
Following that, as I was walking back to my apartment to practice for the rest of the day, I was happy to see the many pairs of American and Moldovan flags along blvd. Ștefan cel mare and made my way across to the opera house to see how many people were hoping to see Biden. Large and enthusiastic crowds were waiting patiently to get in. Seeing the US and Moldova paired like they were today was quite emotional for me.
At this point I will tell you that anything I say reflects my own views and not those of the US Fulbright Commission or the US government. I am grateful for their support during this year of study in Moldova.
The weather was great - actually the first nice day of spring for us!!! As you can see in the photo, many people were chatting and enjoying the day as they waited for the motorcade to arrive.
The event began with three hours of Moldovan pop music, mostly singers accompanied by backup tracks. The singers and MCs were very enthusiastic and well loved by the audience.
The speaking began with Vlad Filat, prime minister of the Republic of Moldova. He has been truly elected as an outcome of the recent elections, while there is still a deadlock concerning the office of president. Filat was elegant and well-spoken as always.
Biden was quite direct in his speech. He clearly challenged the corruption and human trafficking in the breakaway area of Transdnistria, just 35 miles from here. Friends here tell me that Transdnistria is occupied by Russian military forces. They are ostensibly "peace keepers," but occupy forts and sites with symbolic importance to challenge the existence of the Republic of Moldova itself.
A friend told me that the Russian government announced today that although it raised natural gas prices drastically in February, it is willing to lower them if the Moldovan government will adopt Russian backed policies. This kind of interference in Moldovan politics victimizes all citizens, whether speakers of Russian, Romanian, Roma, Bulgarian, or Gagauz (a Turkic language prevalent in the southern part of Moldova).
Biden's speech was quite a contrast. He announced 262 million dollars of US aid to Moldova over the next five years. People here tell me that this money will be carefully monitored, unlike Russian "gifts" to Moldova that end up in the pockets of cronies and mafia collaborators. Following the riots of April 2009, Russia donated a large amount of money to repair buildings. Those buildings are still blocked off, unrepaired and unfinished.
Biden complimented the people of Moldova on their intense efforts to develop true democratic processes for free, fair, and transparent elections and legal proceedings. He also singled out Belarus as an example of corruption and human rights abuses. Freedom of the press and speech were suppressed under the Russian backed "communist" regime in Moldova during the period of 2001-2009. The recent elections were carefully monitored by outside entities from the EU, the Russian coalition, and other independent groups, and the press seems to be quite active in reporting the activities and views of all political parties.
Not everyone was thrilled to have Biden here. Many Moldovans were killed during the Russian attempt to control Afghanistan. People here tell me that Moldovans were often sent to the front by their Russian army chiefs, and fell victim to weapons provided to the Taliban by the US. Now that the US is attempting to control Afghanistan, sentiments are aroused in Moldova.
I spent quite bit of time talking with an out of work translator and language teacher who identified himself as a "true Soviet," and who was not happy with Biden's speech. He said the Soviets were actually very nice people who knew nothing about the corruption at the top in Moscow.
I was impressed today with how recent and real the development of democratic processes has been in Moldova. I remember being amazed at the bullying conduct of a partisan observer as I monitored the elections last November. As I left the event today, an older man was quite adamant about being interviewed by the television crews as he told them about the socialist successes of the Soviet era.
I was also impressed with the fragile nature of Moldovan democracy. Although Moldovans were asking me all week why Biden was bothering to come to Moldova, I can now say that he must have known the delicate nature of democratic processes in Moldova. Even as David Letterman made foolish and insensitive statements about Moldova last week, Biden seems to have been aware of the importance of every individual person in this beautiful small country.
Today I was proud to be an American in Moldova.
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