National Minorities in the Republic of Moldova – Some Lessons Learned, Some Not?
National Minorities in the Republic of Moldova – Some Lessons Learned, Some Not?

Summary/Abstract: On 31 August 1999, Moldovans celebrated the 10th anniversary of their language law. Limba noastră (our language), as the day is officially called, marks a turning point in recent Moldovan history: it was the breakthrough for national awakening in Moldova and the starting point for severe minority conflicts, one of which escalated into outright civil war in 1992. Ten years farther down the road, there is neither nationalist sentiment nor hot conflict in Moldova. This does not mean that all the problems surrounding the use of language and the rights of the different minorities are resolved. However, even though the country is suffering under the economic transformation process – partly accelerated through bad government and widespread corruption – it seems unlikely that this would again result in violence as they did between 1990 and 1992. The Moldovan example clearly shows that ethnic diversity in itself is not a cause of war or militant conflict. It might lead to conflict if it is politicised under certain circumstances but, even then, inter-ethnic accord can be achieved by peaceful means if the right lessons are learned. This article starts with a basic overview of the historical background and developments in the late eighties and early nineties and then discusses the lessons which have been learned and have not been learned in Moldova. It focuses mainly on two aspects which have proved to be of particular importance not only for Moldova but for the whole region: the use of languages and territorial autonomy.

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