Moldovan leader backs down on Moscow V-day parade ban

A row has erupted among leaders of Moldova's ruling coalition over Russia's World War Two Victory Day celebrations, with the president backtracking on a decision to keep Moldovan troops away from a Moscow parade. Acting President Mihai Ghimpu, a sharp critic of Russian policy who blames Moscow for supporting the breakaway territory of Transdniestria, last week banned the defence ministry from sending a 70-man unit to take part in the May 9 festivities. The reason given by Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries, for staying away from the 65th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany was lack of the $35,000 required to cover the stay of its soldiers. But Ghimpu, who heads the right-wing Liberal party in the ruling four-party Alliance for European Integration, reluctantly backed down on Monday after a revolt among other coalition leaders. "I am against taking part in the parade. But I am a team player. Three out of the Alliance's four parties were in favour of the parade, so I have bowed to the collective decision," he told Vocea Basarabie radio. The four-party coalition took power in the former Soviet republic in July 2009 in a snap parliamentary election that ended eight years of rule by the communist party. The communists were quick to take advantage of the division over the May 9 parade, with ex-President Vladimir Voronin stepping in to say his party was ready to cover the costs of Moldovan troops in Moscow. Ghimpu, who favours close ties with neighbouring Romania with which Moldova has a common historical, cultural and linguistic heritage, admitted the Alliance was under strain over the issue. "I have been forced to back down for the sake of preserving the Alliance and some leaders might use this. I am sure that the electorate will punish them for this in the next election," Ghimpu said.