Home | China | World | Business Moldovan Opposition Stages Largest Rally MON, FEB 25, 2002     The Moldovan opposition staged a largest ever rally in the capital of Kishinev on Sunday, calling for the resignation of the government and early elections, Russian media reported. The demonstration, which allegedly attracted 100,000 people, was organized by the pro-Romania Christian Democratic People's Party to protest what they called "12 months of Bolshevik rule in Moldova." The rally was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the electoral victory of the Communists. Demonstrators shouted anti-government slogans and held the flags of Moldova, Romania and the European Union. Christian Democrat leader Yury Roshka said the campaign will continue although the government has given in in its language policy. "We will not give up our demands, we will continue to demand the resignation of the entire administration and the immediate scheduling of early parliamentary elections." The daily protests since January 9 were provoked by the government's decision to teach Russian in schools. The parliament has held hearings on the situation and the government has reversed its decision. Sunday's protest was peaceful; no clashes were reported. President Vladimir Voronin Saturday said the authorities "will not allow the extremist opposition to break the Moldovan state." He urged citizens not to yield to extremist slogans and not to take part in illegal protests. Moldova used to be part of Romania and became part of the Soviet Union in 1940. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Moldova declared independence in August 1991 and called off the mandatory teaching of Russian, setting Romanian as its national language. About 65 percent of the country's population are Romanian-speaking. Editor:Zhong Source:Xinhua Recommend to your friend email:    China Central Television,All Rights Reserved