IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 896 

Recognizing the significance of the United States relationship with the Republic of Moldova and encouraging United States support for anti-corruption 

efforts and strengthening democratic institutions. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 

Mr. WEBER of Texas (for himself and Mr. FRANKS of Arizona) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and the 

Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 

each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the significance of the United States relationship 

with the Republic of Moldova and encouraging United 

States support for anti-corruption efforts and strengthening democratic institutions. 

Whereas the United States has enjoyed a bilateral relationship with the Republic of Moldova since the Republic of 

Moldova’s independence in 1991; 

Whereas Moldova has been a valued and reliable partner in 

promoting global security by participating in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, 

Sudan, and Georgia; 


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Whereas since Moldova’s independence, the United States has 

provided financial assistance to support the people of 

Moldova’s efforts to build a prosperous European democracy; 

Whereas over the past two and a half decades, the Department of State, United States Agency for International 

Development (USAID), and the Millennium Challenge 

Corporation (MCC) have furnished over $1,400,000,000 

in assistance to Moldova, including $262,000,000 for a 5- 

year MCC compact for economic development and investment projects in irrigation infrastructure, high-value agricultural production, and road rehabilitation; 

Whereas the United States Government supports the democratic aspirations of the people of the Republic of 

Moldova; 

Whereas on the occasion of Moldova’s Independence Day on 

August 27, Secretary of State John Kerry, on behalf of 

the President and the people of the United States, said 

on August 25, 2016, that the United States stands 

‘‘squarely behind’’ Moldovan democratic reform as well as 

Moldova’s ‘‘efforts to strengthen the rule of law and fight 

corruption’’, its ‘‘desire to ensure greater prosperity and 

security for every citizen,’’ and that ‘‘today and in the 

years to come, we will continue to support the best interests and aspirations of the Moldovan people.’’; 

Whereas a resurgent and aggressive Russia is pursuing political and economic warfare in the region, seeking to weaken the continent’s Eastern front by sowing discord and 

dissent whenever the opportunity presents itself; 

Whereas due in part to its strategic location, Moldova has developed into a legitimate player in the region, becoming 


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increasingly significant as Russia continues to violate 

borders and meddle in the internal affairs of its neighbors; 

Whereas the theft of nearly $1,000,000,000 from 3 major 

banks in Moldova in 2014, much of which consisted of 

International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans, has exposed 

corruption at the highest levels of the Government of 

Moldova; 

Whereas as a result of this banking scandal and the widely 

acknowledged kleptocracy of a number of political leaders, in recent months Moldova has witnessed anti-government protests composed of hundreds of thousands of people demanding snap elections and the government’s resignation; 

Whereas it has been alleged by credible sources, including 

former senior Moldovan Government officials cooperating 

with the United States Government, and other whistleblowers with personal knowledge of the bank heist and 

organized criminal activity, that members of the current 

ruling party, including Vice-Chairman of the Moldovan 

Democratic Party and feared oligarch Vladimir 

Plahotniuc, participated in the laundering of these funds 

into Russian banks and off-shore shell companies; 

Whereas it is also believed that funds from Russia, including 

the infamous Magnitsky Affair, from Libya, and from 

Iraq, were laundered through Moldova as part of criminal 

schemes orchestrated by Plahotniuc and his accomplices; 

Whereas Plahotniuc, who despite holding no elected office is 

often described as Moldova’s ‘‘Puppeteer’’, has deep ties 

to Moscow including Russian officials that are strong 


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supporters of the Moldovan breakaway region of 

Transnistria; 

Whereas it is understood that United States law enforcement 

agencies have initiated investigations into the missing 

$1,000,000,000 from the National Bank of Moldova reserves as well as the possible fraudulent use of the 

United States banking system, with involvement by 

United States citizens, to launder money; and 

Whereas now, more than ever, the United States must show 

support for the rule of law, economic freedoms, transparency and anti-corruption initiatives in Moldova: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) calls on the United States Government and 

3 the European Union to ensure that free and fair 

4 presidential elections are held in Moldova on October 

5 30, 2016; 

6 (2) encourages the President and the Depart7 ment of State to restrict assistance designated for 

8 Moldova to only justice sector reform, anti-corrup9 tion efforts, and strengthening democratic institu10 tions as long as corruption within the government 

11 ranks persist; 

12 (3) urges the Executive Branch agencies that 

13 have initiated investigations to pursue all available 

14 avenues to determine if the United States banking 

15 system, with involvement by United States citizens 

16 was used to launder money as part of the Moldovan 


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1 banking scandal, if United States taxpayer dollars in 

2 the form of IMF loans were directed to sanctioned 

3 entities; and what if any members of the Govern4 ment of Moldova, recipients of United States foreign 

5 aid, participated in, or benefitted from, the 2014 

6 bank heist, including Vladimir Plahotniuc; 

7 (4) calls on those Executive Branch agencies to 

8 report the results of those investigations to the 

9 United States Congress upon completion; 

10 (5) requests that, if as a result of said inves11 tigations, individuals or entities, including Vladimir 

12 Plahotniuc, Andrian Candu, the speaker of the 

13 Moldovan Parliament, Mihai Poalelungi, the chair14 man of the Moldovan Supreme Court of Justice; 

15 Eduard Harunjen, the acting Moldovan attorney 

16 general, Viorel Chetraru, the general director of 

17 Moldova’s National Anti-Corruption Center, Viorel 

18 Morari, the chief of Moldova’s Anti-Corruption Pros19 ecutor’s office, Vladimir Cebotari, Moldova’s Min20 ister of Justice, Alexandru Jizdan, Moldova’s Min21 ister of Internal Affairs, Serghei Iaralov, Ion Plesca, 

22 the President of Chisinau’s Court of Appeal, and 

23 Dorin Damir, the President of the Fighting and En24 tertainment Association of Moldova, are found to 

25 have participated in the laundering of funds from 


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1 entities or governments sanctioned by the United 

2 States, that the United States consider imposing 

3 sanctions on those individuals and entities to the ex4 tent that United States law allows, including the ban 

5 of travel to the United States, economic sanctions, 

6 and the freezing of assets; and 

7 (6) establish through legislation, or via the au8 thority given under Presidential Proclamation 7750, 

9 a list similar to the one created by the Magnitsky 

10 Act for Vladimir Plahotniuc and other government 

11 officials if they are found to have been involved in 

12 the abovementioned crimes. 

Æ 


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