Government complicity is the main reason why Moldova for the first timehas been put on the human trafficking blacklist. Moldova is the onlyEuropean country on the worst-offenders list, revealed on Wednesday bythe American government. Nations on the list could face sanctions,including the withholding of some aid by the United States. .

A former Foreign Minister of Romania says that Moldova ought to"decouple" itself from Transdniestria. Adrian Severin says it is theonly way for Moldova to focus on its European aspirations. He also seesno future in fighting for unity of Moldova and Transdniestria "withinborders imposed by Stalin." . .

Moldova's Parliament has passed a sweeping law banning newspapers which"instigate territorial separatism". The ban applies to The TiraspolTimes and a number of other publications. Journalists can now beprosecuted for merely reporting the views of politicians and communityleaders who are in favor of Transdniestria's independence. . .