[from moscow times]

"Moldova Lashes Out

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) -- Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin said Russian troops are stationed illegally in his country and that Moscow's explanations for failing to meet a deadline to withdraw were not credible.

Voronin, in an interview with ORT-Moldova television aired Tuesday, also dismissed as "silly" Moscow's claims that separatists in the Russian-speaking breakaway province of Transdnestr were preventing their withdrawal. He said Russia has great influence over Transdnestr. "

In mildly related news, the new romanian president (Traian Basescu) has said that he wants to move to a more tight partnership with Muldova. Of course, the big romanian issue will continue to be reforms necessary to join the EU.