COMMUNIST PARTY MODERNIZES, CAREFULLY

C O N F I D E N T I A L CHISINAU 000315 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/UMB E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2018 TAGS: PGOV KDEM MD SUBJECT: COMMUNIST PARTY MODERNIZES, CAREFULLY Classified By: Ambassador Michael D. Kirby, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Moldova's Communist Party held a congress which stressed unity, modernizing gradualism, and ideological tweaks to its policies. Decentralized seating, open sessions, and a mild condemnation of Soviet practices, added some interest to what was otherwise a dull event. The more interesting part of the Party's program-the dismissal of the government-had to wait for four days. End summary. ¶2. (C) The Sixth Moldovan Communist Party (PCRM) Congress on March 15 provided little excitement, in contrast to the dismissal of the government four days later. (One small but not insignificant sign also designated the meeting as the Twenty-Sixth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.) Defying earlier rumors of a schism between old traditionalists and young reformers, the Congress was united. Parliament Speaker Lupu, often touted as a reformer, was elected to the Central Committee. President Voronin, reelected as Chairman, further stressed the promotion of youth in the PCRM by creating a new body, the POLITICAL Executive Committee, to which up-and-coming young (but not independent) Communists were elected. ¶3. (SBU) Under the heading of "Communist liberalization," the Congress adopted its electoral program and campaign promises for March 2009 Parliamentary elections. These are: social investment; a favorable economic climate; enhancing European democracy; enhancing Moldova's competitiveness; and promoting the principles of Moldovan security: permanent neutrality, territorial integrity, and openness to European integration. ¶4. (SBU) Liberalization was also on display in the atmosphere of the Congress. While there were some backward-looking symbols such as the hammer and sickle and the nearly-exclusive use of the Russian language, not to mention the Communist Party of the Soviet Union sign, the PCRM made an effort to at least look modern. For the first time, the Congress was open to the public, with free, non-accredited media access, and web postings of all proceedings. Gone was the Presidium with its row of grim-faced politburo members arrayed beneath a central podium. Instead, delegates sat at small tables, and speakers addressed the Congress from the floor. In a further, but delicate, break from the past, delegates passed a resolution criticizing Stalin and his successors for deviating from classical Communism, and committing "certain excesses." ¶5. (U) (Note: The official government news agency has just announced that President Voronin has designated First Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii as Prime Minister. Post notes that she is a Communist but not an ideologue, and has established a good working relationship with us. End note.) ¶6. (C) Comment: The PCRM is clearly circling its wagons for 2009 elections, and attempting to resolve its internal contradictions: quashing rumors of a traditionalist-reformer schism, serving Communist old wine in new bottles, and nodding carefully to the West and democracy while retaining its Communist title. The Congress's concern with changing the image of the PCRM reached a logical, if startling, conclusion on March 19, when the Prime Minister resigned and the Cabinet stepped down in accordance with Moldovan law. The new faces to be put on display will tell us a great deal about how the PCRM intends to govern, and campaign, until the 2009 elections. End comment. Kirby