Breakaway vote boosts Russia's hand over 'frozen conflicts'

[T_i_B]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/russia/article/0,,1875688,00.html

Voters in Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniestria have overwhelmingly backed plans to join Russia, strengthening the Kremlin's hand in its battle with the west for influence over the "frozen conflicts" of the former Soviet Union.

Election officials in the tiny province on the edge of the European Union said yesterday that 97.1% of voters had cast ballots in a Sunday referendum in favour of continuing the region's 16-year-old de facto independence, with the ultimate goal of joining Moscow.

"The Dniester people are pinning their hopes for the future firmly on the Russian Federation," Igor Smirnov, the region's self-declared president, told reporters in its capital, Tiraspol.

The referendum was not recognised by Moldova, the EU or the US, but was welcomed by Russia. The Kremlin has made no promises to recognise or absorb Transdniestria, but supports the region financially and maintains a force of 1,200 troops there. While the Moldovan foreign minister Andrei Stratan labelled the vote "a political farce", the Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said it "reflected the legitimate will of the people".