BTW the CP in Moldova has something like a 75% popularity rating. The right-wing Rumanian nationalists, who spearheaded the country's independence in 1991 (and incidentally got it embroiled in a civil war) have about a 6% popularity rating.
Chris Doss The Russia Journal ---------------------------- MOLDOVA REPORTS 4-PERCENT INCREASE IN ECONOMY FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 2002
Moldova reported for the first three months of 2002 a 4-percent increase in the gross domestic products, according to the previous estimations, the government said Friday in a report.
This increase was possible following the increase in the industrial production by 13.7 percent in current prices, and by 8.8 percent "in real terms", and in the agriculture production by 2.7 percent.
The Moldovan economy is increasing for the third year in row, after a dramatic reduction by over 65 percent in 1991-1999. The government claims the recession was stopped and the economy "is giving clear signs of stabilisation and social-economic relaunchement." In 2000, Moldova reported an increase by 2.1 percent, and in 2001 - by 6.1 percent. The gross domestic product rose in a faster rhythm, as it was expected.
The first estimation of the GDP increase for 2000 was of 1.9 percent, and for 2001 - five percent.
A 6-percent increase in GDP is forecast for 2002.
In 1999, the GDP represented only 33 percent compared with the 1999 level, a year before the crisis that afflicted Moldova's economy. The most important reduction - 30.9 percent, was registered in 1994. For the 1997, the government reported an increase of 1.6 percent.
Moldova plans to report for the next four years an increase in GDP of 6-7 percent annually, according to the social-economic development strategy of Moldova for average term (till 2005) CHISINAU, APRIL 20, BASA