Dangers And Conflict Resolution Efforts In Moldova
Transnistria is de facto independent with many state-like attibutes and calls itself officially the Moldovian Republic of Dniestr. However, no other state, including the Russian Federation has recognized it as an independent state. There are, however, some 1500 Russian military permanently present in Transnistria. Transnistria had some 706, 000 inhabitants in 1991 at the time of the breakup of the Soviet Union. Today, there are some 450,000 - probably less. Many, especially young people, have left to study or work abroad. Many in Transnistria have Russian passports in order to travel. The Transnistrian economy is in the hands of a small number of persons closely linked to the government.