Historians: Authorities keep silent about particular historical truths

The community of historians of Moldova warns the general public from the country and abroad and decision makers that it is concerned about certain damaging policies implemented in such areas as historical education and civic training. Moreover, the historians believe that the authorities do not want to reveal certain historical truths, but the people should be reminded about the crimes committed by the Soviet power on this territory now that the country is coming closer to the EU. In a news conference at IPN, the historians made public a memorandum by which they express readiness to contribute to overcoming the mentioned situation by their expertise and experience.

Historian and scientific researcher at the Academy of Sciences’ Institute of History and Science Ion Negrei said that now Moldovan society is involved in a debate about the significance of historical events that happened in Bessarabia in the 20th century. “Currently, Moldova possibly goes through the most dynamic period in its history as an independent state. Our country is in the situation in which it must take a decisive step to plan its democratic and European future,” the historian read from the document.

The memorandum says that after the Soviet troops occupied Bessarabia, Northern Bucovina and the Herza Region, the Romanians from the Eastern extremity and the representatives of other ethnic groups had to go through a diabolic social and political experiment. Being subject to abuse and repression, the population from these territories recognized the totalitarianism in its Communist essence/formula. The historians consider the authorities should highlight that the inhabitants of Bessarabia of other ethnic groups were also victims of the totalitarian Communist regime, not only the majority indigenous population.

The historians also said that now that Moldova decided to subscribe to the democratic vales of the free world and chose other methods of social and political organization, it must abandon the propagandistic clichés about the Communist heaven, about the so-called liberation.

Doctor of History and lecturer at the State University of Moldova Gheorghe Palade said the signatories of the memorandum deny the notion of liberation by the Soviets and urge conciliating society whose options are significantly different.

Doctor Habilitate of History and university lecturer Anatol Petrencu, who heads the Social History Institute “ProMemoria”, said the Moldovan authorities must be cautious in what events they take part so as not to leave room for speculation to those who distort history. History must be treated correctly. Now before May 9, the country’s population will again witness propagandistic and triumphal messages that do not form part of the country’s historical heritage. click