Bendery, 29 August. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The Russian peacekeeping mission in our republic has profound historical roots and cannot be transformed into any other, President Krasnoselsky said during celebrations dedicated to the regiment holiday of the 55th Podolsk Infantry Regiment.
During a conversation with journalists he recalled that the 14th Infantry Division, which included the 55th Podolsk Regiment, was a prototype of the 14th Russian Army and today's peacekeepers.
«The soldiers of this very regiment established in 1912 a monument which is now the symbol of Bendery — a bronze eagle," he said.
The president underscored that only the nation that remembers its history has the right to the future.
«So when asked, 'Whose land is this?', you can always say, 'This is the land of the Russian world, watered with the blood of the Russian soldier and today's holiday proves the fact.» Today's peacekeepers gloriously continue the feats of their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers, so what's the reason for changing the format? Where is the history of a civilian mission here in Pridnestrovie? There is no such history; there is the history of the Russian peacekeeper, the Russian soldier," said the president.
He also noted that the peacekeepers feel comfortable «not because it has become a custom, but because we have common traditions, Orthodox faith and history, therefore, this proves the success and uniqueness [of the peacekeeping operation], and transforming it into any other format is to enter on the path of conflicts.»
With regard to the prospect of attracting tourists to Pridnestrovie, Vadim Krasnoselsky noted that, in addition to the Bender Fortress, there are many other places.
«There are ideas about the Tiraspol Fortress, a cathedral memorial, which is also in the centre of Tiraspol; there are places in the Kamenka and Rybnitsa Districts. This all requires funding, but first of all it is essential to have an idea and desire to do something; therefore, we have got down to this object and will finish it. In two years a park will be laid out here with all infrastructure and logistics where the residents and guests of our republic will have a good time," the president shared plans.
