UNCLASSIFIED E6

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 01 CHISIN 00033 01 OF 05 131333Z

ACTION EUR-01

INFO LOG-OOCISA-02 FSI-01 ADS-OO MOFM-01 NPI-01 OIS-01

PER-01IMIS-02 /010W
------------------2679AC 131416Z /44
R 131206Z APR 92
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0037
INFO AMEMBASSY MOSCOW RELEASED IN FULL
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
AMCONSUL FRANKFURT

UNCLASSIFIED SECTION 01 OF 05 CHISINAU 00033

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/EX; M/FSI FOR OVERSEAS BRIEFING CENTER

E.O. 12356:N/A
TAGS: AMGT, APER, MD
SUBJECT: PRELIMINARY POST REPORT FOR CHISINAU

1. THE FOLLOWING IS A PRELIMINARY POST REPORT FOR

CHISINAU. A FULLER REPORT WILL FOLLOW AS POST GAINS A
BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL CONDITIONS. PLEASE PROVIDE A
COPY OF THIS REPORT TO PERSONNEL PLANNING TO TRAVEL TO
MOLDOVA.

1. THE HOST COUNTRY

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 CHISIN 00033 01 OF 05 131333Z

A. MOLDOVA
B. CHISINAU

2. THE EMBASSY
A. HISTORY
B. GENERAL
C. COMMUNICATIONS
D. VEHICLES
E. SECURITY

3. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

REVIEW AUTHORITY: THEODORE SELLIN
DATE/CASE ID: 30 OCT 2008 200802187 UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
A. CLIMATE
B. HOUSING
C. CLOTHING
D. ELECTRICITY
E. FOOD
F. HEALTH
G. SHOPPING
H. BANKING

4. TRAVEL
A. BY CAR
B. FUEL
C. BY AIR
D. VISAS

5. RECREATION
A. CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES
B. TELEVISION
C. PUBLICATIONS

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 03 CHISIN 00033 01 OF 05 131333Z

1. THE HOST COUNTRY

A. MOLDOVA

ONCE A PART OF ROMANIA, THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

ENCOMPASSES WHAT WAS UNTIL AUGUST 27, 1989, THE MOLDAVIAN
SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC. MOLDOVA IS A RELATIVELY SMALL
COUNTRY, ABOUT 300 KM LONG AND 100 KM ACROSS, ABOUT THE
SAME SIZE AS LONG ISLAND, WITH A POPULATION OF 4.5
MILLION. IT IS COMPRISED MAINLY OF GENTLY ROLLING
AGRICULTURAL LANDS. CHISINAU IS THE LARGEST CITY IN THE
REPUBLIC. BELTSY, ABOUT 125 KM NORTH OF CHISINAU, AND
TIRASPOL, ABOUT 73 KM EAST OF CHISINAU, ARE THE NEXT
LARGEST.

THE PRUT RIVER FORMS THE WESTERN BORDER WITH ROMANIA, AND
THE EASTERN BORDER WITH UKRAINE IS ABOUT 20 KM BEYOND THE
DNIESTR RIVER. UKRAINE ALSO FORMS THE NORTHERN AND
SOUTHERN BORDERS WITH MOLDOVA.

THE REGION BETWEEN THE DNIESTER RIVER AND THE UKRAINIAN

BORDER IS THE SUBJECT OF AN ARMED DISPUTE.
RUSSIAN-SPEAKING COMMUNIST SUPPORTERS THERE HAVE DECLARED

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
THE AREA INDEPENDENT OF MOLDOVA (THE SO-CALLED
"TRANS-DNIESTER REPUBLIC). THIS AREA IS ESSENTIALLY
OFF-LIMITS DUE TO DESTROYED BRIDGES AND SPORADIC SHOOTING,
BUT TO DATE THE CONFLICT HAS NOT SPREAD INTO OTHER AREAS
OF THE COUNTRY. MOLDOVA'S OTHER ETHNIC MINORITIES (GAGAUZ
TURKS, BULGARIANS, UKRAINIANS, JEWS, GERMANS, AND OTHERS)
ENJOY PEACEFUL RELATIONS.
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 04 CHISIN 00033 01 OF 05 131333Z

B. CHISINAU

A CITY OF ABOUT 600,000 INHABITANTS, CHISINAU (KISHINEV IN

RUSSIAN) CONSISTS OF OLDER DOWNTOWN AND GOVERNMENT
DISTRICTS AND NEWER SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS. THE
DOWNTOWN AREA CENTERS ON STEPHEN THE GREAT BOULEVARD
(STEFAN CEL MARE), ALONG WHICH SEVERAL HOTELS, MINISTRIES
AND STORES ARE LOCATED. THE SMALLER, TREE-LINED SIDE
STREETS FORM A QUIET RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE MODERN
SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, CONSISTING OF HIGH-RISE
APARTMENT BUILDINGS, STRETCH UP TO 10 KM FROM DOWNTOWN.

2. THE EMBASSY

A. HISTORY

UNCLASSIFIED

NNNN

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 01 CHISIN 00033 02 OF 05 131333Z

ACTION EUR-01

INFO LOG-DO CISA-02 FSI-01 ADS-OO MOFM-01 NPI-01 OIS-01

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
PER-01 IMIS-02 j010W
------------------2679B8 131417Z j44
R 131206Z APR 92
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0038
INFO AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
AMCONSUL FRANKFURT

UNCLASSIFIED SECTION 02 OF 05 CHISINAU 00033

DEPARTMENT FOR EURjEX; MjSI FOR OVERSEAS BRIEFING CENTER

E.O. 12356:NjA
TAGS: AMGT, APER, MD
SUBJECT: PRELIMINARY POST REPORT FOR CHISINAU

THE UNITED STATES RECOGNIZED MOLDOVAN INDEPENDENCE ON

DECEMBER 25, 1991. AFTER VISITS BY SECRETARY BAKER TO
CHISINAU AND BY PRESIDENT SNEGUR TO WASHINGTON IN
FEBRUARY, 1992, THE TWO COUNTRIES AGREED TO ESTABLISH
DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS. THE EMBASSY BEGAN OPERATIONS ON
MARCH 16, 1992, WITH SEVEN AMERICANS. A FORMAL OPENING
CEREMONY ATTENDED BY HIGH-LEVEL MOLDOVAN OFFICIALS TOOK
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 CHISIN 00033 02 OF 05 131333Z

PLACE MARCH 18, 1992.

B. GENERAL

THE EMBASSY IS LOCATED IN A QUIET, OLDER RESIDENTIAL

NEIGHBORHOOD AT 103 ALEXEI MATEEVICI STREET. ON BOTH
SIDES OF THE CHANCERY ARE ADDITIONAL EMBASSY BUILDINGS
WHICH ARE SLATED TO BECOME THE AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE,
CONSULATE AND USIS OFFICES. NINE AMERICANS (MOSTLY TDY)
AND SEVEN LOCAL DAY HIRES NOW STAFF THE EMBASSY.

C. COMMUNICATIONS

THE EMBASSY HAS FOUR LOCAL TELEPHONE LINES AS FOLLOWS:

23-37-72 RECEPTION; 23-36-98 CHARGE; 23-34-94 ADMIN; AND
23-34-76 POLITICAL. WHILE THESE LINES DO NOT OFFER
INTERNATIONAL DIRECT DIAL SERVICE, IT IS REASONABLY EASY

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
TO REACH AN OPERATOR WHO CAN PLACE AN OVERSEAS CALL.
RATES ARE 72 RUBLES A MINUTE FOR CALLS TO THE U.S. CALLS
FROM THE U.S. REQUIRE OPERATOR ASSISTANCE ALTHOUGH US
SPRINT SUBSCRIBERS CAN DIAL DIRECT. DIALING CODES ARE
7-0422 & LOCAL NUMBER.

AN UNCLASSIFIED FAX MACHINE IS CONNECTED TO THE ADMIN

LINE.

POST HAS AN INMARSAT SATELLITE SYSTEM WHICH PROVIDES

RELIABLE AND QUICK INTERNATIONAL DIALING, AT $10 A MINUTE.
THIS TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 873-151-2442.

THE MOLDOVAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY HAS SIGNED A

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 03 CHISIN 00033 02 OF 05 131333Z

CONTRACT WITH THE CANADIAN FIRM TELEGLOBE TO PROVIDE
INTERNATIONAL DIRECT DIAL SATELLITE SERVICE. THE EMBASSY
HAS APPLIED FOR THREE CHANNELS ON THIS SYSTEM, WHICH WILL
PROVIDE TWO DIRECT DIAL VOICE LINES AND ONE DEDICATED DATA
CIRCUIT FOR TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS. THE EMBASSY IS
ALSO PURSUING A DEDICATED LINE TO MOSCOW AS A BACK-UP
COMMUNICATIONS LINK.

D. VEHICLES

THE EMBASSY IS RENTING TWO GOVERNMENT MOTOR POOL CARS WITH

DRIVERS UNTIL THE THREE VEHICLES ORDERED FOR THE EMBASSY
ARRIVE. THE MOLDOVAN FOREIGN MINISTRY IS JUST
ESTABLISHING ITS OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION FOR EMBASSIES,
AND THE PROCEDURE FOR LICENSING PRIVATE DIPLOMATIC
VEHICLES IS BEING DEVELOPED. THE MINISTRY WILL EVENTUALLY
ISSUE DIPLOMATIC LICENSE PLATES.

E. SECURITY

CHISINAU PRESENTS A VERY PEACEFUL OUTWARD APPEARANCE, AND

THE EMBASSY'S CONTACTS WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS
CONFIRM THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS
AND PROPERTY. THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS OF PETTY THEFT
AGAINST FOREIGN VEHICLES, BUT TO DATE, THE EMBASSY IS
UNAWARE OF ANY VIOLENT CRIME AGAINST A FOREIGNER. EMBASSY
PERSONNEL HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY UNTOWARD EVENT WHILE
WALKING AROUND THE CITY. OFFICIAL MOLDOVANS ARE VERY
ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE EMBASSY PRESENCE. MOST PRIVATE
CITIZENS APPEAR TO SHARE THIS VIEW.

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 04 CHISIN 00033 02 OF 05 131333Z

THE POLICE ARE INVOLVED IN THE TRANS-DNIESTER CONFLICT
SINCE MOLDOVA DOES NOT HAVE AN ARMY. THEREFORE, FEWER
PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO ACCOMPLISH
REGULAR DUTIES IN CHISINAU AND OTHER PARTS OF THE
REPUBLIC.

3. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. CLIMATE

CHISINAU'S CLIMATE IS SIMILAR TO NEW YORK CITY'S, BUT WITH

LOWER HUMIDITY. WINTER LOWS CAN REACH THE 20'S WITH
OCCASIONAL SNOW. SUMMER TEMPERATURES CAN REACH 100.
WHILE HEATING SYSTEMS ARE PREVALENT IN MOLDOVAN
STRUCTURES, AIR CONDITIONERS ARE NOT.

B. HOUSING

FOR THE INDEFINITE FUTURE, EMBASSY PERSONNEL WILL LIVE AT

THE SEABECO MOLDOVA HOTEL, A SWISS-MOLDOVAN JOINT VENTURE
LOCATED FIVE BLOCKS FROM THE EMBASSY. A COMFORTABLE,
MODERN, SIX-STORY HOTEL, THE SEABECO OFFERS MOST OF THE
SERVICES EXPECTED IN A WESTERN HOTEL. THE ROOMS ARE SMALL

UNCLASSIFIED

NNNN

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 01 CHISIN 00033 03 OF 05 131333Z

ACTION EUR-01

INFO LOG-OO A-01 FBO-01 FSI-01 MCO-01 ADS-OO MED-07

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
M-Ol NPI-Ol PER-Ol /015W
------------------2673C4 131410Z /38
R 131206Z APR 92
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0039
INFO AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
AMCONSUL FRANKFURT

UNCLASSIFIED SECTION 03 OF 05 CHISINAU 00033

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/EX; M/SI FOR OVERSEAS BRIEFING CENTER

E.O. 12356:N/A
TAGS: AMGT, APER, MD
SUBJECT: PRELIMINARY POST REPOORT FOR CHISINAU

BUT CLEAN. THE BATHROOM FACILITIES, ALTHOUGH SMALL, ARE

OF WESTERN QUALITY, UNLIKE OTHER LOCAL HOTELS. AN
IN-HOUSE RESTAURANT PROVIDES COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST, AND
IT SERVES LUNCH AND DINNER. ACCREDITED EMBASSY STAFF PAY
IN RUBLES, WITH SINGLE ROOMS COSTING 4000 RUBLES PER
NIGHT, DOUBLES 6000. OFFICIAL VISITORS PAY $75 PER NIGHT
FOR A SINGLE ROOM. THE HOTEL OFFERS A PAY-PER-USE INDOOR
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 CHISIN 00033 03 OF 05 131333Z

HEATED POOL, SAUNA, MASSAGE PARLOR, AND TWO BARS. A
RECEPTION HALL AND OFFICE SPACE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.

C. CLOTHING

THE EMBASSY DRESS CODE IS CASUAL, BUT CALLS ON GOVERNMENT

OFFICIALS USUALLY REQUIRE BUSINESS DRESS, AS DO RECEPTIONS
AND OTHER OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS. THE HOTEL OFFERS LAUNDRY
SERVICE, WHICH IS SLOW BUT INEXPENSIVE (HAVING A SHIRT
WASHED TAKES 2 DAYS AND COSTS 5 RUBLES). THERE IS ONE
UNTESTED DRY-CLEANER IN CHISINAU, BUT POST ADVISES AGAINST
BRINGING MANY DRY-CLEAN ITEMS. THE HOTEL ROOMS OFFER
LIMITED CLOSET SPACE AND FEW HANGERS.

D. ELECTRICITY

ELECTRIC CURRENT IN MOLDOVA IS 220 VOLTS 50 CYCLES AC.

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
THE SUPPLY APPEARS FAI:RLY STABLE, AND THE EMBASSY HAS
EXPERIENCED VERY FEW DISRUPTIONS IN SERVICE. OUTLETS ARE
FRENCH STANDARD, WHICH CONSISTS OF TWO ROUND PINS SMALLER
IN DIAMETER THAN THE GERMAN STANDARD.

E. FOOD

THE OPEN MARKET, WHICH IS AT ITS BEST ON SUNDAY MORNING,

OFFERS SOME ITEMS USABLE BY EMBASSY STAFF. ORANGES,
TOMATOES, CUCUMBERS, POTATOES, BEETS, WATERMELON, EGGS,
HONEY, AND CHEESE ARE USUALLY AVAILABLE. ORANGES COST
ABOUT 20 RUBLES EACH; TOMATOES ARE ABOUT 100 RUBLES PER
KILO. A FEW LOCAL HARD-CURRENCY STORES STOCK A FEW
WESTERN CHOCOLATE BARS, SOFT DRINKS AND OTHER ITEMS ON A
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 03 CHISIN 00033 03 OF 05 131333Z

RANDOM BASIS. A CAN OF SODA AT THESE STORES COSTS $1.
SUPERMARKETS IN THE WESTERN SENSE DO NOT EXIST, BUT THERE
ARE SEVERAL FOOD SHOPS ALONG THE MAIN STREET WHICH OFFER
AN EXTREMELY LIMITED VARIETY OF POOR QUALITY ITEMS.
COFFEE AND WESTERN CHOCOLATE CAN USUALLY BE PURCHASED AT
REASONABLE PRICES IN RUBLES. AMERICANS WISHING TO LIVE
SOLELY OFF THE LOCAL ECONOMY WILL BE HARD-PRESSED, BUT IT
IS POSSIBLE.

LOCAL RESTAURANTS OFFER AN ACCEPTABLE RANGE OF INEXPENSIVE

MEALS. THE SEABECO HOTEL RESTAURANT AND THE CODRU HOTEL
RESTAURANT (ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE SEABECO) ARE THE
TWO ESTABLISHMENTS MOST FREQUENTED BY EMBASSY STAFF. A
TYPICAL DINNER AT THE SEABECO RESTAURANT COSTS 250 RUBLES,
LESS AT THE CODRU. TYPICAL DINNERS INCLUDE BREAD, A
MAYONNAISE-BASED SALAD (NOT GREEN SALAD), SOUP, AND MEAT
PLATE, WITH PORK, BEEF AND CHICKEN AS THE USUAL CHOICES.
DESSERTS ARE USUALLY GOOD, WITH ICE CREAM BEING VERY
POPULAR. BEER IS AVAILABLE AS ARE GOOD LOCAL WINES. SOME
OTHER HOTELS AND SMALL RESTAURANTS ALSO SERVE SATISFACTORY
MEALS.

PERSONNEL ASSI.GNED TO CHISINAU ARE ADVISED TO BRING A WIDE

SELECTION OF FOOD ITEMS TO RELIEVE THE SIMILARITY OF
RESTAURANT CUISINE, WHICH, AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS, BECOMES
EXTREMELY REPETITIVE. THE EMBASSY HAS A REFRIGERATOR,
MICROWAVE AND HOT PLATE, ALONG WITH DISHES AND SILVERWARE.

F. HEALTH

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
THE REGIONAL MEDICAL OFFICER REPORTED THAT CHISINAU IS
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 04 CHISIN 00033 03 OF 05 131333Z

GENERALLY NOT AN UNHEALTHY POST, ALTHOUGH THE LOCAL
POPULATION SUFFERS FROM VERY HIGH RATES OF HEPATITIS A AND
B. TAP WATER TESTED QUITE WELL ALTHOUGH ITS QUALITY IS
VARIABLE. EMBASSY PERSONNEL AS A RULE DRINK BOTTLED OR
PURIFIED WATER. THE EMBASSY HAS CONTACTS IN THE
HEALTH-CARE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE VIP-FOREIGNERS
HOSPITAL AND SEVERAL DOCTORS. HOWEVER, SERIOUS CONDITIONS
WILL REQUIRE EVACUATION TO WESTERN EUROPE.

G. SHOPPING

CHISINAU HAS A LIMITED SELECTION OF HANDICRAFT STORES

FEATURING LOCAL PRODUCTS. LACQUERED PINS, BOXES AND
PLATES ARE POPULAR, AS ARE POTTERY, EMBROIDERED CLOTHING,
AND CARPETS. LOCAL WINES ARE A GOOD BUY (ABOUT 80 RUBLES
A BOTTLE). SHOPPING FOR MORE MUNDANE ITEMS (CLOTHING,
APPLIANCES, BOOKS, HOUSEHOLD WARES) IS VERY LIMITED. THE
MAIN DEPARTMENT STORE HAS A LIMITED SELECTION OF ITEMS
MADE IN THE CIS. OTHER STORES ALONG THE MAIN STREET OFFER
SIMILAR ITEMS; VIRTUALLY NO IMPORTED GOODS ARE AVAILABLE.

H. BANKING

CHISINAU OFFERS .VERY LIMITED BANKING. TWO BANKS OFFER

UNCLASSIFIED

NNNN

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 01 CHISIN 00033 04 OF 05 131333Z

ACTION EUR-01

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
INFO LOG-OOCISA-02 FSI-01 ADS-OO MOFM-01 NPI-01 OIS-01
PER-01IMIS-02 /010W
------------------2679BE 131417Z /44
R 131206Z APR 92
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0040
INFO AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
AMCONSUL FRANKFURT

UNCLASSIFIED SECTION 04 OF 05 CHISINAU 00033

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/EX; M/SI FOR OVERSEAS BRIEFING CENTER

E.O. 12356:N/A
TAGS: AMGT, APER, MD
SUBJECT: PRELIMINARY POST REPORT FOR CHISINAU

FOREIGN EXCHANGE SERVICES, WITH THE DOLLAR WORTH ABOUT 125

RUBLES ON APRIL 12, 1992. NO BANK, HOTEL, OR OTHER
ESTABLISHMENT IS EQUIPPED TO HANDLE CREDIT CARDS,
TRAVELLERS CHECKS OR ANY OTHER FORM OF PAYMENT ASIDE FROM
CASH. TRAVELLERS MUST BE EQUIPPED TO PAY CASH FOR ALL
EXPENSES, BE IT IN DOLLARS OR RUBLES. THE EMBASSY
SUB-CASHIER DOES NOT OFFER ACCOMODATION OR REVERSE
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 CHISIN 00033 04 OF 05 131333Z

ACCOMODATION EXCHANGE SERVICES.

4. TRAVEL

A. BY CAR

DAY TRIPS AROUND MOLDOVA ARE EASY AS THE ROADS ARE GOOD
WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC. THERE ARE MANY POLICE CHECKPOINTS,
BUT DIPLOMATS WITH IDENTIFICATION (AND U.S. DRIVER'S
LICENSE) HAVE NOT HAD DIFFICULTY. THE ROMANIAN BORDER AT
LEUCHENY IS ONE HOUR FROMCHISINAU, AND BELTSY IS ABOUT
TWO HOURS. LONGER DRIVES TO ODESSA, KIEV, AND OTHER
POINTS ARE POSSIBLE IF ONE CAN AVOID THE TRANS-DNIESTER
CROSSINGS.

B. FUEL

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
CHISINAU HAS VERY FEW GAS STATIONS. CURRENTLY, ONLY ONE
IS EQUIPPED TO SERVICE FOREIGNERS, WHO MUST PAY IN
DOLLARS. THE PRICE IS US $0.25 PER LITER, WITH PRICES
CHARGES IN MULTIPLES OF $1.00 ONLY. EVENTUALLY, THE
EMBASSY WILL RECEIVE TAX-FREE GASOLINE COUPONS FOR
OFFICIAL AND PE~SONAL VEHICLES. AVAILABILITY HAS NOT BEEN
A PROBLEM, BUT THE 94 AND 96 OCTANE GRADES ARE LESS
AVAILABLE THAN THE STANDARD 76 OCTANE GRADE. DIESEL FUEL
IS AVAILABLE. POST HAS NOT DETERMINED THE AVAILABILITY OF
OTHER SPECIALIZED FUELS (KEROSENE, PROPANE, ETC.)
UNLEADED FUEL IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE AIRPORT APPEARS TO
HAVE A GOOD SUPPLY OF #2 AVIATION FUEL.

C. BY AIR
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 03 CHISIN 00033 04 OF 05 131333Z

TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND FOR THOSE WILLING TO BRAVE AIR

MOLDOVA, WHICH TO DATE HAS A WORSE REPUTATION THAN IT
ACTUALLY DESERVES. THE STORIES OF STANDING PASSENGERS,
FOUR-LEGGED PASSENGERS AND OTHER NON-FAA APPROVED BEHAVIOR
HAVE SO FAR NOT BEEN WITNESSED ON AIR MOLDOVA.

AIR MOLDOVA, WHICH HAS TAKEN OVER ALL AEROFLOT OPERATIONS

IN CHISINAU (THE ONLY CIVILIAN AIRPORT IN THE COUNTRY) ,
OFFERS SEVERAL DAILY FLIGHTS TO MOSCOW, AND LESS FREQUENT
FLIGHTS TO MANY OTHER CIS CITIES, INCLUDING KIEV, ST.
PETERSBURG, THE BALTIC CAPITALS, MINSK, AND SEVERAL
CENTRAL ASIAN CAPITALS. AIR MOLDOVA ALSO OFFERS TUESDAY
SERVICE TO BUCHAREST AND SATURDAY SERVICE TO FRANKFURT.
WHILE INTRA-CIS FARES ARE VERY INEXPENSIVE FOR ACCREDITED
STAFF (A ROUND TRIP TO MOSCOW COSTS 600 RUBLES),
INTERNATIONAL FARES ARE CHARGED IN DOLLARS (ONE WAY TO
FRANKFURT IS US$560.)

DEPARTURES FROM CHISINAU AIRPORT, LOCATED 12 KM NE OF

DOWNTOWN, ARE USUALLY AS SCHEDULED. TO DATE, THE EMBASSY
HAS NOT EXPERIENCED CANCELLED FLIGHTS. ARRIVALS ARE OFTEN
LATE DUE TO DELAYS AT OTHER AIRPORTS. TAXI AND BUS
SERVICE IS AVAILABLE AT THE AIRPORT, BUT THE EMBASSY MAKES
EVERY EFFORT TO MEET OFFICIAL VISITORS, USING THE VIP
LOUNGE.

D. VISAS

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
OFFICIAL VISITORS WHO PROVIDE THE EMBASSY IN ADVANCE WITH
ITINERARY, DATE OF BIRTH, AND PASSPORT NUMBER CAN BE
UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 04 CHISIN 00033 04 OF 05 131333Z

ISSUED AN ENTRY VISA AT THE AIRPORT. MOLDOVA HAS NOT YET
OPENED AN EMBASSY OVERSEAS EXCEPT IN BUCHAREST. VISAS FOR
TRANSITTING RUSSIA MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE ARRIVAL.

5. RECREATION

A. CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES

CHISINAU OFFERS A NUMBER OF THEATERS, PLAYHOUSES, OPERAS

AND OTHER CULTURAL SITES, WITH PRODUCTIONS IN ROMANIAN OR
RUSSIAN. NO ENGLISH-LANGUAGE MOVIES OR OTHER EVENTS ARE
AVAILABLE.

B. TELEVISION

LOCAL TELEVISION FEATURES MOLDOVAN, ROMANIAN AND MOSCOW

STATIONS. MOLDOVAN TELEVISION OFFERS LOCALLY-PRODUCED
PROGRAMS, OFTEN MUSIC OR INTERVIEWS, IN ADDITION TO THE
NEWS. ROMANIAN TELEVISION, IN ADDITION TO NEWS AND
ROMANIAN PRODUCTIONS, OFTEN SHOWS A SUBTITLED AMERICAN OR
FRENCH SHOW DURING THE EVENING. MOSCOW TELEVISION
BROADCASTS ONLY IN RUSSIAN, WITH DUBBED IMPORTED ITEMS.
THE EMBASSY'S SATELLITE DISH RECEIVES CNN, BBC (WHEN NOT
ENCODED), SUPERCHANNEL, AND OTHER STATIONS FROM FRANCE,

UNCLASSIFIED

NNNN

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 01 CHISIN 00033 05 OF 05 131333Z

ACTION EUR-01

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED
INFO LOG-OOCISA-02 FSI-01 ADS-OO MOFM-01 NPI-01 OIS-01
PER-01IMIS-02 /010W
------------------2679BF 131417Z /44
R 131206Z APR 92
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0041
INFO AMEMBASSY MOSCOW
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI
AMCONSUL FRANKFURT

UNCLASSIFIED SECTION 05 OF 05 CHISINAU 00033

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/EX; M/SI FOR OVERSEAS BRIEFING CENTER

E.O. 12356:N/A
TAGS: AMGT, APER, MD
SUBJECT: PRELIMINARY POST REPORT FOR CHISINAU

ITALY, SPAIN, GERMANY, TURKEY, AND ISRAEL, IN ADDITION TO

BBC AND VOA RADIO. THE EMBASSY EMPLOYEES r LOUNGE,
EQUIPPED WITH THE SATELLITE SYSTEM, ALSO OFFERS A
MULTI-SYSTEM TELEVISION AND VCR.

C. PUBLICATIONS

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 CHISIN 00033 05 OF 05 131333Z

CHISINAU HAS A NUMBER OF ROMANIAN- AND RUSSIAN-LANGUAGE
NEWSPAPERS. NO FOREIGN NEWSPAPERS OR MAGAZINES ARE
AVAILABLE. THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE MOSCOW NEWS IS USUALLY
AVAILABLE LOCALLY. MOST BOOKSTORES OFFER RUSSIAN AND
ROMANIAN TEXTS BUT NO FOREIGN TITLES. ONE FOREIGN
LANGUAGE BOOKSTORE IN TOWN HAS A FEW BOOKS IN ENGLISH
PRODUCED IN THE CIS, PLUS TITLES IN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
MOSTLY FROM PAST AND PRESENT SOCIALIST COUNTRIES.
BUNCHER

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED
 UNCLASSIFIED

NNNN

UNCLASSIFIED