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Young protesters in Moldova storm Parliament and presidentŽs offices
But the liberal opposition denounced the results as flawed and, according to the organizers, around 15,000 demonstrators turned out in the streets for a second day, hurling stones at the president's office and burning Communist flags. Communist President Vladimir Voronin, who is due to step down on April 7 after serving a maximum two consecutive terms, accused the demonstrators of trying to organize a "coup d'etat" in the country. "We will show that in Moldova there is a power which will act strongly to protect the country's statehood from a handful of fascists drunk on anger trying to cause a coup d'etat," he said in a televised address. Voronin called on the West for help in restoring order. "Moldovan authorities are extremely concerned by the mass disturbances in the center of the capital and call on Western structures to intervene to resolve this situation," Voronin was quoted as telling foreign ambassadors by Interfax news agency. The opposition, although taken aback by protests initiated by youth groups rather than established political factions, vowed that the actions would continue until their demands were met. Vlad Filat, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said he and other liberal opposition leaders later held talks with the government but failed to reach agreement on their main demand for a recount of the election. "We have not received an official answer. Therefore our action will continue and we call on our supporters to behave in a civilized fashion and not give into provocation." Police used water cannons and tear gas but the protestors still managed to enter the president's offices and hoisted a European Union flag. They also dragged furniture out of the Parliament building and set it on fire, filling the air with thick black smoke. Over 30 people including both protesters and police were injured in the clashes, the head doctor at Chisinau's emergency hospital told AFP. A woman died from carbon monoxide poisoning after inhaling fumes in the Parliament blaze, Moldova 1 television reported. Posted by: Fred 2009-04-08 |
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