DUMA: RUSSIAN TROOPS TO STAY IN MOLDOVA.

On May 24, the RussianDuma voted 227 to 2 to impose a moratorium on any reduction or withdrawal of Russia’s 14th Army from Moldova until a political settlement on theTransdniestr region is achieved. The Duma bill also calls for sending moreRussian conscripts to the army, something Moscow has not done sinceMoldova became an independent country. It also flouts the October 1994agreement between Moscow and Kishinev to withdraw the troops within threeyears–an accord that the Russian government itself promptly and unilaterally made hostage to Duma ratification.

Gagauz Go To The Polls.