2006 Press Releases

March 1, 2006
Press Release

The United States Embassy expresses its concern regarding recent allegations in the Moldovan media that the Embassy's 17 February statement regarding the Pasat case amounted to interference in Moldova's internal affairs or was intended to damage Moldova in some way.

Moldova has no better friend than the United States. We were one of the first countries to recognize Moldova’s independence and establish an embassy here. Since that time we have been the largest bilateral assistance donor, providing over $665 million in assistance since 1992.

The persons whom one editorialist labeled members of an alleged “Russia First” group in the U.S. State Department are all outstanding current or former American officials who have worked tirelessly to promote America’s national interests. While we appreciate the service of these individuals, none of them are directly involved in U.S.-Moldova relations at this time; nor did they have any part in the statement issued by the Embassy in regard to the Pasat case.

As that statement made clear, we believe that the MiG transaction of 1997 was in the interests of Moldova as well as of the United States. We consider it appropriate to challenge assertions to the contrary, from whatever source, which might mislead readers to believe that the United States took advantage of Moldova in this transaction.