Black Propaganda: Anti-independence misinformation

As a young, small nation still seeking its place in the international community, Pridnestrovie has to contend with a barrage of negative misinformation. Moldovan anti-independence propaganda calls it the "black hole" of Europe. But look beyond the sensationalist headlines and a whole different picture emerges.

[0]

Despite having to contend with a barrage of ill-intentioned propaganda, folks in Pridnestrovie are optimistic on their young country's future. Here, children born after independence celebrate Independence Day.

After failing in its 1992-invasion of Pridnestrovie, Moldova [0] launched a new kind of war: An information war [0] designed to isolate Pridnestrovie by portraying it as an outcast country and, presumably, deter other countries from establishing relations.

The tactic works, but only until the facts are examined. Foreign diplomats say reports of smuggling [0] from Pridnestrovie are wildly exaggerated and attribute them to Moldovan pressure. EU and OSCE officials say that there is "not a shred of evidence" [0] to back up the allegations. There is no drug involvement [0] either: Here, too, Western officials rule out Pridnestrovie's participation. And despite persistent allegations, there is no evidence either (unlike in Moldova) of sex slavery or human trafficking. [0] [ More ] [0]

International inspectors clear Pridnestrovie of weapons charges

Experts now admit that Pridnestrovie doesn't export any weapons [0] and don't make them either. The first report from an international round of arms inspection visits [0] produced a clean bill of health for Pridnestrovie: No evidence of weapons manufacture or other arms involvement in any of the inspected factories. Other analysts agree. After first having been misled by Moldova, a group funded by the British government visited Pridnestrovie to verify and in 2006 released an updated report [0] for the United Nations Development Program, stating the truth about the accusations against Pridnestrovie. [ More ] [0]

Getting the facts straight

In a misguided attempt to defend a socalled territorial integrity [0] which legal experts say does not exist, the U.S. Embassy in Moldova pays for propaganda [0] by lobbyists who want to turn back the clock on Pridnestrovie's independence.

But do a little in-country research [0] and it is easy to separate truth from fiction. Visit Pridnestrovie and judge for yourself [0] what life is really like in this new corner of Europe. It's clean, open, crime-free and forward-looking.

» Click here to learn more... [0]

BUSINESS:

[0]

Does this firm own the country? [0]

The second-largest company, Sheriff, is said to control everything that goes on in Pridnestrovie. Moldova calls it a money laundering front and the personal fiefdom of the president's sons; Saddam Hussein style. How much of this is true? [more] [0]

DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS:

	Voters support independence by wide margin [0]
	(Some) international observers call elections free, democratic [0]
	Polish MP hails election as region's "most open and transparent" [0]

[more] [0]

RELATED SUBJECTS:

	People: Profiles and views [0]
	Freedom and life in Pridnestrovie [0]
	Democracy and elections [0]
	Human rights and minority protection [0]

No evidence of smuggling; allegations "wildly exaggerated" [0]

Western diplomats say reports of smuggling from Pridnestrovie are wildly exaggerated. EU and OSCE officials have never seen any evidence of Pridnestrovie's involvement in smuggling and claim that there is "not a shred of evidence" to back up the allegations. ...[more] [0]

Deciphering the black propaganda:

	Mudslinging: Black hole or Black ops? [0]
	PMR doesn't make weapons, experts admit [0]
	Western officials: No drug smuggling in Pridnestrovie [0]
	Sex slavery and human trafficking [0]
	International inspectors: No arms production in Pridnestrovie [0]
	Dollar Diplomacy: U.S. Embassy funds anti-independence propaganda [0]
	A visit to Pridnestrovie: What life is really like here [0]