​USA WELCOMES FORMATION OF PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY, BUT DOES NOT SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL POLITICIANS – AMBASSADOR PETTIT

The United States welcomes the creation of a parliamentary majority in Moldova intending to form a government, but does not back any concrete politicians, the United States Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Moldova, James D. Pettit, stated in the TV7 channel’s “Politica” live program on Tuesday night, during which he impressed the audience with his excellent command of Russian.

In his words, the same was stated by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Victoria Nuland, in the course of her visit to Bucharest last Monday.

“Nuland said she was happy to learn about the formation of a new parliamentary majority in Moldova. Mrs. Nuland meant it was good news, without making an accent on the lineup of that majority. She said Moldova needed a government, but did not speak out in support of a concrete candidate for prime minister. And this does not necessarily mean that we will be supporting this majority. We may not interfere into Moldova’s domestic policy. We want a government to be formed, for we want stability in the republic, and we want realization of reforms and de-blocking of relations with the International Monetary Fund”, said the diplomat.

James D. Pettit stressed that the U.S. Embassy is not supposed to back this or that candidate for prime minister, for “These are Moldova’s domestic political issues and we don't interfere. We can only help in realization of reforms”.

Asked if Victoria Nuland knows about oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc and about the current situation in Moldova, the Ambassador replied that the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State is an excellently informed diplomat, and that the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau diligently informs the U.S. Department of State about the situation in Moldova.

In response to remarks heard in the TV studio that the new parliamentary majority “was formed by bribing and blackmailing the members of parliament”, Ambassador Pettit stated that this cannot be ruled out completely, but in such case the law enforcement agencies must have spoken out their position and have carried out an investigation”.

“I don't want to speak of political intrigues. As is known, political accords take place at forming a majority. We all are aware that there is corruption in the Moldovan Parliament and other state institutions. But we have no right to interfere. Moldovan voters are those who must go to the court and defend their rights. Courts and the mass media can prove it. To curb corruption, one needs to have convincing evidence”, stated the American diplomat.

Ambassador Pettit reaffirmed the United States’ position – that his country will be cooperating with any state power in Moldova irrespective of its political colors.

“We have little trust in the incumbent [outgoing] Government, like in the previous one, because there were no results. Let’s see what the next team will do. A government needs to be given a chance to make something good. We don't support anybody – we judge by results. For six years we have observed a captured state, corruption, and absence of reform results. Those who are now forming the new government are aware of all this. We want them to solve these problems and we are ready help in this, and not at all because we back somebody”, James D. Pettit said, and stressed that the United States does not support Plahotniuc or anybody else at the head of the government.

Asked about whether or not he believes Vlad Plahotniuc is eligible to aspire for the post of President of Moldova, the diplomat replied that as a citizen of the Republic of Moldova, Plahotniuc has the right for this.

“At the same time, we all have seen the Moldovan society’s reaction to his efforts to become prime minister. I suspect that should he only try to become president, the reaction will be same”, said the ambassador.

Asked about the stealing of huge sums [about 1 billion euros] from Moldovan banks, James D. Pettit said the United States stands ready to render assistance in investigation, including what concerns the movement of stolen money in foreign countries.

“To find the money, it is necessary to collaborate with Moldovan state structures. Earlier, we also stated readiness to help, but we could not see any openness. The chief problem is the system itself, which made the money theft possible. The National Bank of Moldova failed to prevent that crime, which fact is indicative of the presence of problems in the functioning of the system”, stressed U.S. Ambassador James D. Pettit.