A region of Moldova - a thin area between the river Dniester and the Ukrainian frontier, which declared itself independent at the fall of the Soviet Union. This independence was resisted by Moldova and there was a short war. The war ended in a stand off. Moldova does not have the power to enforce its sovereignty, against an army which includes Russian troops. Presumably Russia prefers to maintain control over this area as an enclave. Although the people are Russian speaking it is cut off from Russia by Ukraine.

It is believed that the secessionists are supported by Russia. When Moldova was a Soviet Republic, there was a large Soviet army base in the territory. Some of the Russian army is still there.

A visiting reporter has quoted an OSCE official as saying the area is a Soviet Museum, with all the institutions of the Soviet Union. However, it has also experienced the privatisations of Russia, mainly to semi-criminal former officials.

Although the administration claims the territory is independent, it is recognised by no other sovereign government.

A referendum on independence was won by the government in September 2006.

Russian

Moldovan (Romanian)

The president Igor Smirnov has all the effective power. As in many ex-Soviet political entities there is little opposition.

His relationship with semi-criminal "businessmen" is speculated about.

This territory was the heavy industrial area of Moldova in Soviet times. Even though it is not recognised by any other government there is trade with Russia and western Europe. It is suspected that the largest part of the economy is clandestine and illegal. The European Union and other western organisations are concerned about a trade in arms with such areas as Abhkazia (Russian backed secessionists in Georgia) and also in drugs. As in Russia privatisation seems to have put important industries into the hands of an oligarchy of former communist officials.

BBC report