area handbook series Belarus and Moldova country studies Belarus and Moldova country studies Federal Research Division Library of Congress Edited by Helen Fedor Research Completed May 1995 On the cover: St. George, patron saint of Belarus, and antique Moldovan rug First Edition, First Printing, 1995. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Belarus and Moldova : country studies / Federal Research Division, Library of Congress ; edited by Helen Fedor. — 1st ed. p. cm. — (Area handbook series, ISSN 1057-5294) (DAPam; 550-112) "Research completed May 1995." Includes bibliographical references (pp. 207-223) and index. ISBN 0-8444-0849-2 (he : alk. paper) ---------Copy 3 Z663.275 .B45 1995 1. Belarus. 2. Moldova. I. Fedor, Helen, 1957- . II. Library of Congress. Federal Research Division. III. Series. IV. Series: DA Pam ; 550-112. DK507.23.B45 1995 95-45993 947’.65—dc20 CIP Headquarters, Department of the Army DA Pam 550-112 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 Foreword This volume is one in a continuing series of books prepared by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress under the Country Studies/Area Handbook Program spon­ sored by the Department of the Army The last two pages of this book list the other published studies. Most books in the series deal with a particular foreign coun­ try, describing and analyzing its political, economic, social, and national security systems and institutions, and examining the interrelationships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. Each study is written by a multidisci­ plinary team of social scientists. The authors seek to provide a basic understanding of the observed society, striving for a dynamic rather than a static portrayal. Particular attention is devoted to the people who make up the society, their origins, dominant beliefs and values, their common interests and the issues on which they are divided, the nature and extent of their involvement with national institutions, and their attitudes toward each other and toward their social system and political order. The books represent the analysis of the authors and should not be construed as an expression of an official United States government position, policy, or decision. The authors have sought to adhere to accepted standards of scholarly objectivity Corrections, additions, and suggestions for changes from read­ ers will be welcomed for use in future editions. Louis R. Mortimer Chief Federal Research Division Library of Congress Washington, DC 20540-5220 iii Acknowledgments The authors are indebted to numerous individuals and orga­ nizations who gave their time, research materials, and expertise on affairs in Belarus and Moldova to provide data, perspective, and material support for this volume. The collection of accurate and current information was assisted greatly by the contributions of Stephen R. Burant of the United States Department of State, Professor Thomas E. Bird of Queens College, Valery Kurdzyukou of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus, A. James Firth of the United States Department of Agriculture, John Mumford of The Washington Group, Eugene Fishel of the United States Department of State, Professor Paul E. Michelson of Huntington College, Pro­ fessor Ernest H. Latham, Jr., of the American-Romanian Acad­ emy, Carmen Kosik, Raymond Milefsky of the Defense Mapping Agency, and Iurie Leanca of the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova. The authors also acknowledge the gener­ osity of all the individuals who allowed their photographs to be used in this study. Thanks also go to Ralph K. Benesch, who oversees the Coun­ try Studies/Area Handbook Program for the Department of the Army. In addition, the authors appreciate the advice and guidance of Sandra W. Meditz, Federal Research Division coor­ dinator of the handbook series. Special thanks go to Marilyn L. Majeska, who supervised editing; Andrea T. Merrill, who per­ formed the prepublication editorial review and managed pro­ duction; David P. Cabitto, who designed the book cover and the illustrations on the title page of both chapters, provided graphics support, and, together with Thomas D. Hall and the firm of Maryland Mapping and Graphics, prepared the maps; Ihor Y Gawdiak, who provided historical background informa­ tion; and Glenn E. Curtis, who critiqued the text. The follow­ ing individuals are gratefully acknowledged as well: Vincent Ercolano and Janet Willen, who edited the chapters; Barbara Edgerton and Izella Watson, who did the word processing; Francine Cronshaw, who compiled the index; and David P. Cabitto, Stephen C. Cranton, and Janie L. Gilchrist, who pre­ pared the camera-ready copy. v