Russia warns over 'Romanian slogans' in Moldova

(CHISINAU) - Russia on Thursday warned Romania and the European Union over the use of pro-Romanian slogans in anti-Communist riots in Moldova that have raised tensions in Eastern Europe.

Moldova's ruling Communist leaders have already accused neighbouring Romania of instigating Tuesday's riots that left dozens wounded and almost 200 under arrest.

The Moldovan government has ordered the Romanian ambassador to leave for "activities incompatible with his status" and its main ally, Moscow, expressed alarm over pro-Romanian sentiment in the protests.

"The slogans and flags... showed unambiguously that the demonstrators were taken by the idea of destroying Moldovan sovereignty," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with the RIA Novosti state news agency.

"We hope that the European Union and Romania will take action to ensure Romanian flags and slogans are not used as a pretext for harming Moldovan sovereignty," he added.

Many of the demonstrators who stormed parliament on Tuesday in protest at the Communist victory in legislative elections shouted "We are Romanians!" and brandished the Romanian flag.

Moldova, Europe's poorest country with a population of 4.3 million people, was part of Romania after World War I until it was annexed by the Soviet Union in World War II. Romanian is its official language.

After the chaos of Tuesday's riots, the capital Chisinau was quiet Thursday but the anti-Communist youth movements who were the driving force behind the protests have called for a new demonstration Friday morning.

As before, they have summoned supporters using SMS messages and social networking websites, a tactic that to the astonishment of all observers mustered thousands of protestors earlier this week.

President Vladimir Voronin, Moldova's strongman over the last eight years, declared that Romanian security agents had been at work in the country and that "patience has its limits."

In Bucharest, the Romanian foreign ministry called Voronin's accusation "provocation," and blasted as "absurd" a separate move by the communist president to reintroduce a visa regime for Romanian nationals.

Voronin also warned that the Moldovan police would use force if the riots were repeated. The authorities have already arrested some 193 people, according to the interior ministry.

A former Voronin aide turned opposition figure, Sergiu Mocanu, was among those arrested and the authorities have launched an enquiry against him for "seeking to usurp power".

"The authorities needed a scapegoat and a former presidential adviser who switched to the opposition is perfect for that role," said his lawyer Ion Dron.

Also arrested were journalist Natalya Morar, one of the leaders of the "I am an Anti Communist" protest movement. She works for the Russian opposition New Times magazine and is banned from Russian territory.

Amnesty International said that the civil society activists who called the protests should not be held responsible for Tuesday's rioting, saying they could face up to eight years jail if found guilty.

The authorities "must distinguish carefully between those who are suspected of having committed criminal acts and those who have exercised their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly," it said.

Final election results released Wednesday showed the Communists garnered 49.48 percent of the vote, gaining 60 parliament seats -- one less than the three-fifths required for the party to control the presidential election.

The opposition Liberal and Liberal Democratic parties gained 15 seats each and the Our Moldova alliance 11, electoral commission secretary Yuri Ciocan told AFP.

The difference of one seat will give other parties a say in choosing a successor to Voronin, who has served the maximum of two consecutive terms allowed.

The average monthly wage in predominantly agricultural Moldova is only 253 dollars. More than a quarter of its active population works abroad and their remittances are vital for the economy.