Tiraspol - Moldova - Mafia in Uniform, page 3

privacy

Pages: << 1 2 3 4 5 6 >>
ATS Members have flagged this thread 23 times

reply posted on 21-6-2005 @ 09:03 PM by Hellmutt

The Parliamentary Assembly of OSCE has called for Transnistrian talks to resume. They expressed concern over the insignificant progress of the withdrawal of Russian troops, arms and ammunition from Transnistria.

Moldova Azi: OSCE PA Calls to Transnistrian Talks Resumption

June 20 2005

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has called upon all sides concerned, particularly the Moldovan Parliament and Government, as well as the Transnistrian authorities and supreme soviet [parliament], the Governments of Russia and Ukraine to resume, with the OSCE's assistance, the negotiations in order to achieve a lasting solution of the problem related to status for Transnistria. This call has been included into the draft Resolution on Moldova prepared to the OSCE PA Annual Session to be held on July 1-5 in Washington DC.

An OSCE PA delegation visited Chisinau and Tiraspol last week and familiarized the conflicting sides with the draft that is called to facilitate the Transnistrian settlement. The document expressed concern over a high rate of mistrust existing between the Chisinau and Tiraspol authorities due to each other's unilateral measures that only deteriorate settlement perspectives.

The Assembly also urged the government of Ukraine to immediately begin realization of its announced intention to organize a better control over the Ukrainian side of the Moldo-Ukrainian border and to start solving the problems of organized crime, corruption and illegal commerce in that region.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly expressed concern over the insignificant progress achieved by Russia in meeting its 1999 OSCE Istanbul Summit on withdrawal of troops, arms and ammunition from the Moldovan territory.

Click the link to read the full article...

[edit on 2005/6/21 by Hellmutt]

reply posted on 22-6-2005 @ 11:58 PM by Hellmutt

Interesting news regarding Tiraspol/Transnistria. Moldova demands the "complete, unconditioned and without delay withdrawal of the Russian military forces" from the area. Officially the Russian forces are there as "peacekeeping forces".

Moldova Azi: Foreign Minister Presented in Vienna Conditions for Organizing Free Elections in Transnistria

June 22 2005

Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Andrei Stratan presented in Vienna the conditions in which the organization of free elections in the Transnistrian region would be possible and opted for gradual replacement of the peacekeeping forces with OSCE civil and military observers.

Head of the Moldovan diplomacy has also presented the conditions in which the organization of free elections in eastern districts of the Republic of Moldova is possible, among which he mentioned the withdrawal of the Russian Army, liquidation of Tiraspol political police, demilitarization of region, ensurance of media freedom and consolidation of civil society.

In the same context, Stratan opted for the gradual substitution of the present peacekeeping forces and their transformation into multinational mission of OSCE civil and military observers. Foreign Minister emphasized the necessity of respecting by Russian Federation the commitments made in Istanbul regarding Moldova and underlined the fact that the Russian military presence is the main obstacle in the way to our country’s reintegration and undermines the efforts of international community to eliminate the threats in the address of security in OSCE space. Moreover, he asserted that the complete, unconditioned and without delay withdrawal of the Russian military forces from Moldova’s territory will create necessary conditions for the ratification of the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and will considerably contribute to consolidation of security and stability in the country and region.

Click the link to read the full article...

reply posted on 23-6-2005 @ 09:27 PM by Hellmutt

Moldova wants integration with Europe and cooperation with NATO (and USA). Russia on the other hand blames Moldova for "deliberately disrupting the peacekeeping operation" and said that all responsibility for possible serious consequences will be laid on Moldova.

ITAR-TASS: Moldova lists European integration, ties with NATO as priorities

23.06.2005

The Moldovan government has pronounced integration into Europe and cooperation with NATO among its foreign policy priorities, Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan told the conference European Choice of the Republic of Moldova in Vienna on Thursday.

Apart from cooperation within the framework of the Partnership for Peace Program, Chisinau also comes out in favor of the Individual Partnership Actions Plan with NATO. “This will help strengthen a political dialogue in the process of the solution of regional security and stability problems,” the ministry press service quoted Stratan as saying.

Stratan, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, emphasized a particular role of cooperation between Moldova and the USA on issues of the Dniester Region settlement and stated an improvement in relations with the Baltic States, Ukraine and Romania.

Interfax: Russia criticizes Moldova for not turning up at negotiations

Jun 23 2005

Russia lays the responsibility for any possible disruption of monitoring in Transdniestria upon Moldova, said a statement by the Russian co-chairman in the Joint Monitoring Commission for the conflict, which was distributed by the Russian Embassy in Chisinau on Thursday.

An urgent session of the commission was called on June 23 to discuss managing the joint peacekeeping operation.

"Regrettably, for the second time in the past few weeks, the Moldovan delegation violated current regulations and demonstratively did not turn up at the commission's urgent session," the statement says.

This was caused "not just by their irresponsibility: it was an attempt to deliberately disrupt the peacekeeping operation," the statement says.

"If this is so, all responsibility for possible serious consequences of such actions will be laid on Moldova," the statement says.

Moldova Azi: PACE Seeks from Russia to Withdraw Its Military Presence from the Republic of Moldova

June 23 2005

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) seeks from Russia to urgently withdraw its military presence from eastern districts of the Republic of Moldova.

EU MPs adopted on Wednesday a number of recommendations addressed to the Russian Federation, in which they call on Moscow authorities to consolidate democracy in their country and to stop activities that endanger territorial integrity of the neighbor states. The document voted by PACE stipulates that Russian Federation must urgently withdraw its military presence from eastern districts of the Republic of Moldova.

reply posted on 23-6-2005 @ 09:35 PM by Faeryland

I learned about Moldova in Geography class....isn't it a small country?

I don't recall much more about it.....hmmmm....maybe I should look it up...

[edit on 23-6-2005 by Faeryland]

reply posted on 24-6-2005 @ 03:50 PM by Hellmutt

Ukraine seems to be an important key to settle the Transnistria problem. Neil Bush visited Ukraine earlier this week. And Ukraine's first lady (born in Chicago, US) used to work for both Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush, in case you didn't know that already...

Moldova Azi: Ukraine Is the Only Country Able to Resolve Transnistria Problem, Scientist Claims

June 23 2005

Renowned Ukrainian political scientist Alexander Kusko of the Center for Peace and Ukraine's External Policy believes that his native country is the only one able to settle the Transnistria problem. Such conclusion was formulated in a research published in Kiev recently.

"Ukraine is the only player capable of settling the Transnistria conflict, and this fact is a key to the European Union. The European Union's attempts to play the leading role in Transnistria is leading to a lack of instruments or political will for using the Balkan model in conflict zones. That is why one of the European Union's priority tasks is the building up of pressure on countries possessing a certain strength in the region - on Russia and, particularly, on Ukraine", presumes the political scientist.

In his belief, Ukraine may influence on both conflicting sides, for it has "a unique influence on Transnistria... They are waiting for Ukraine to head an effective policy in that question. Informally, the conflict settlement has already been presented as a key to Ukraine's accession to the European Union".

In that research, Susko described in detail Ukraine's plans in the Black Sea region - such as energy transportation corridors, regional cooperation, etc. - under a pretext that this region should be recognized as an area of Ukraine's natural interests. The document also emphasized that "Ukraine must play a considerable role in the building of a new system of regional order".

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Maidan: Bush and Company visit Ukraine

2005-06-24

21 June

"Neil Bush, younger brother of George Bush, arrived in Kiev yesterday. His plane landed in Borispol airport.

"He is not a politician; however, his actions are always coordinated by the White House and the Congress.

"Neil's visit demonstrates the serious attention of the US administration to the events in Ukraine.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

WikiPedia: Kateryna Yushchenko-Chumachenko

Kateryna Mykhaylivna Yushchenko-Chumachenko is the current and second wife of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko. She is a Ukrainian-American born in Chicago, United States, and a former official with the U.S. State Department, where she worked as a special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs.

She later worked in the White House in the Office of Public Liaison during the administration of Ronald Reagan. Subsequently, she worked at the U.S. Treasury Department in the executive secretary's office during the administration of George H.W. Bush.

During the 2004 Ukrainian presidential election campaign, Yushchenko-Chumachenko was accused of exerting the influence of the U.S. government on her husband's decisions, as an employee of the U.S. government or even a CIA agent. She had earlier been accused by Russian television journalist Mikhail Leontyev of leading a U.S. project to help Yushchenko seize power in Ukraine

Related ATS Threads:
12 White Slaves Halted on the Border
NEWS: Ukraine on the brink of Civil War
WAR: Global Arms - Trafficking Network Designated by US
Gigantic Oil Pipeline From Caspian Sea Opened Today

[edit on 2006/4/27 by Hellmutt]

reply posted on 26-6-2005 @ 03:58 PM by Hellmutt

Here is a very informative article I recommend you to take a look at. It explains about the importance to ratify a treaty called the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty ("one of the most important treaties of our time and absolutely vital to the future of Europe and NATO-Russia relations"). There are meetings going on right now in order to get this treaty ratified, but apparently these meetings are only being reported in the Russian press. The main obstacle to ratify it is the Transdniestr (also spelled Transnistria) situation. This article gives some details about why the treaty has not been ratified yet, developments in Georgia as well as some history about how the Moldova and Transdniestr (Tiraspol) situation emerged. I recommend you to read the full article, and not just the quoted parts below...

Soj: Ratify the CFE Now!

25 06 2005

While nuclear weapons and the threat of nuclear war are "sexier", the reality on the ground is that conventional forces are much more dangerous to world peace.

[---]
Although this treaty was agreed upon by all the members, it has never been ratified.

[---]
The real obstacle, and the truly dangerous hazard, is Moldova

[---]
In essence, it is this tiny corner of Europe, mostly unknown and forgotten by the rest of the world, that is the major hold-up for the ratification of one of the most important treaties of our time. It is the activities in this small slice of Europe that pose one of the gravest dangers to peace and stability on the continent, and yet it's mostly forgotten and ignored.

Putin is right - the NATO countries should put the Adapted CFE up for a ratification vote immediately. It won't resolve the Moldova issue, but it will commit the 30 European nations to resist the temptation to build up conventional forces, the exact scenario which led to the past two world wars. It will also put real pressure on Russia to de-escalate its levels of TLE in the North Caucuses as well as keep NATO from overloading in countries like Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey.

So long as this treaty lies moldering in a desk, unenforceable and non-binding, the danger of a conventional war in Europe remains a looming threat. The Adapted CFE will not solve all the problems of course but it is the best existing framework to put the brakes on any future temptations to further militarize Europe.

Again, the ratification of the Adapted CFE won't resolve the issue of Russian troops in Moldova/TDR. But it will provide a platform to resolve that issue in a diplomatic and expedient way. And for the sake of peace in Europe, it needs to be done.

reply posted on 2-7-2005 @ 05:11 AM by Hellmutt

Originally posted by Hellmutt
Neil Bush visited Ukraine earlier this week.

Maidan: Bush and Company visit Ukraine

2005-06-24

21 June

"Neil Bush, younger brother of George Bush, arrived in Kiev yesterday. His plane landed in Borispol airport.

"He is not a politician; however, his actions are always coordinated by the White House and the Congress.

"Neil's visit demonstrates the serious attention of the US administration to the events in Ukraine.

And the outcome of this meeting?

Kyiv Post: Ukraine drops visa requirements for U.S. citizens

Jul 01 2005

Ukraine dropped visa requirements for U.S. citizens who revisit this ex-Soviet republic starting July 1.

President Viktor Yushchenko signed an order on June 30 saying Americans returning to Ukraine within six months after first visiting are no longer required to obtain a new visa, as long as they don't stay any longer than 90 days.

Easier for americans to visit Ukraine now.

reply posted on 8-7-2005 @ 08:14 PM by Hellmutt

The OSCE adopted a resolution on the Transnistrian issue in Washington DC earlier this week. They apparently ignored some of the Moldovan delegation's proposals. Moldova is not happy with this resolution at all. The Moldovan Parliament will publish an official statement "in the nearest time" about "the conflict that took place during the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Session".

Moldova Azi: MNA Parliamentary Faction Requires Explanations Regarding the Participation of the Moldovan Delegation in OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

The Chisinau Parliament will take an attitude towards the Resolution for Moldova adopted at the beginning of this week by OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Recently the spokesman of OSCE Mission to Moldova, Claus Neukirch, stated that the draft Resolution was submitted to Chisinau in May this year. According to him, in June the draft has been examined in common with Kimmo Kiljunen and there were no objections.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly took place between July 1-5, in Washington.

Moldova Azi: Moldovan Parliament Considering Official Statement on Conflict that Happened at OSCE PA Session

In the nearest time, the Moldovan Parliament will publish its an official Statement about the conflict that took place during the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Session in Washington DC earlier this week.

the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly adopted a Resolution on the Transnistrian issue, having ignored the Moldovan delegation's proposals.

The delegation insisted on introducing into the Resolution a whole number of provisions from the documents, approved by parliament last June 10, concerning the Transnistrian conflict settlement. The documents envisaged, in particular, withdrawal of Russian troops and weapons from Transnistria before the end of this year, attraction of the European Union, United States and Romania to the Transnistria negotiations, democratization and demilitarization of the Transnistrian region with subsequent holding of a parliamentary election there under the international community's strict control.

The Moldovan representatives at the OSCE PA Session felt indignant at seeing such notions in the Resolution as e.g. Transnistrian Supreme Soviet, which, in the Moldovan deputies' opinion, are creating prerequisites for recognition of non-constitutional organs in Tiraspol.

Infotag: MOLDOVA DISAPPOINTED WITH OSCE PA RESOLUTION

"The Parliament of Moldova will analyze - jointly with the OSCE PA leadership and parliaments of OSCE member states - the current situation in order to prevent in the future the Assembly's practice of adopting documents that fail to correspond the spirit and fundamental principles of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe".

Russia apparently has a plan too (to "intercept the conflict settlement initiative from Ukraine"). This plan is still withheld from the public.
Moldova Azi: Minister Sova Elucidating in Moscow Details of New Russian Plan of Transnistrian Settlement (from July 7 2005)

reply posted on 19-7-2005 @ 03:31 PM by Hellmutt

As I said in my previous post, Russia has a plan too. They want to preserve its military presence in the region while others want them out of the region.

RIA Novosti: Geopolitical struggle for Transdnestr enters final stage

July 19 2005

The plan of Dmitry Kozak (who served as deputy head of the Russian presidential administration in 2003) formalizes a Russian regional military-political presence, whereas Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko's plan aims to curtail such a presence. Makarkin also notes that Kozak's plan does not stipulate a compulsory democratization of the Transdnestr region. However, such democratization is a key provision of the Yushchenko plan.

Russia has found itself in a difficult situation. First of all, the Yushchenko plan matches European democratic standards. If Russia rejects the Ukrainian plan, then it may be interpreted as wanting to preserve its military presence in the region instead of resolving the conflict. This is why the Russian side positively assessed the Ukrainian proposals, albeit in a restrained manner. It is also difficult for Russia to publicly object to the democratization of Transdnestr.

Second, many representatives of the Transdnestr elite are tired of the uncertain "self-proclaimed republic" status and are, therefore, ready to compromise. They also want to avoid a conflict with Ukraine.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

It will be interesting to see if they´ll eventually find a solution without having the place turned into a warzone.

reply posted on 22-7-2005 @ 08:59 PM by Hellmutt

The Moldovan Parliament passed a law this friday afternoon on the main principles of the status for Transnistria. President Vladimir Voronin said he regards this law as "a historic event". Here are some highlights from the article:

Moldova Azi: Parliament Passes Law on Main Principles of Status for Transnistria

On Friday afternoon, the Moldovan Parliament approved in two readings the Law on the Main Provisions of a Special Legal Status for Populated Areas on the Left Dniester Bank (Transnistria).

The Provisions of this law will serve the basis for working out status for Transnistria. The Law reads that an autonomous-territorial unit, Transnistria, is established in Moldova. It is Moldova's inseparable part, and - within the plenary powers established by the Constitution and laws of Moldova - it decides questions within its jurisdiction.

Transnistria's representative organ is the Supreme Soviet, which is the supreme organs of the Transnistrian legislative power. It is elected through free, transparent and democratic elections. Preparation to and holding of elections to the Transnistrian Supreme Soviet is carried out upon consent of the OSCE and International Electoral Commission under the OSCE mandate and under Council of Europe's monitoring.

The Transnistrian Supreme Soviet adopts the Main Law of Transnistria, and that Main Law may not be in contravention to the Constitution of Moldova.

The Supreme Soviet's plenary powers and the functions of the Transnistrian executive organ are determined through negotiations.

Courts, prosecution organs, the Transnistrian subdivisions of the Information and Security Service and of the Interior are integral parts of the Moldovan judicial and law enforcement organs.

The law permits Transnistria to establish and maintain external contacts in economic, scientific, technological, humanitarian fields in the order determined by the Moldovan legislation.

Land, waters, mineral resources in the Transnistrian territory are the property of the entire people of Moldova and, simultaneously, the economic basis of Transnistria.

"Moldova is not going to further watch our dear Transnistria being converted into a card of other people's political games... We are now defining our position once and forever. This position is in demilitarization and democratization of the region, and these are conditions for a full-scale Transnistrian settlement. We are thus reaffirming our permanent neutrality and fidelity to the values of democratic development".

After the Law passing the head of state said he regards this law as "a historic event", and expressed gratitude to the parliamentarians for their political maturity.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Apparently Tiraspol has its own soccer team. The team is called "Sheriff Tiraspol" ( big surprise

) . And they have just qualified for the second preliminary round of Champions League.

Moldova Azi: Sheriff Tiraspol Has Qualified for Second Preliminary Round of Champions League

Sheriff Tiraspol team qualified for the second preliminary round of UEFA Champions League after it defeated the Maltese team Sliema Wanderers in the second stage of the first preliminary round by 2 to 0. The goals were scored by Ben Idrissa Derme, in the 78th minute, and Razvan Cocis, in the 83rd minute. The match was played on “Sheriff” stadium in Tiraspol and was refereed by Mustafa Culcu from Turkey.

The Tiraspoleans dominated the match (two goals scored by Alexandru Epureanu and Oleg Gumeniuc were annulled by the referee on the grounds of offside), but managed to score only at the end of the game. The first leg was also won by the Moldovan team, 4-1. Thus, in the second preliminary round Sheriff will play with the champion of Serbia and Montenegro, Partizan.

The first match will take place on 2 or 3 August, in Belgrade.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

reply posted on 23-7-2005 @ 12:22 AM by Hellmutt

The "President" of Transdnestr, Igor Smirnov, has asked Ukraine to send peacekeeping forces and has received a positive answer. He said it is up to Ukraine to decide on the numbers of troops. Smirnov don´t want to deal with "Westerners" and he don´t want OSCE troops into the region.

RIA Novosti: Transdnestr: Between Russia and Ukraine

22/ 07/ 2005

The breakaway Moldovan region of Transdnestr has urged Ukraine to send a peacekeeping force to the region.

On July 19, Igor Smirnov, the republic's president, said at a press conference after his visit to Kiev and consultations with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko: "I have asked [Ukraine] to consider sending a peacekeeping force to the Transdnestr Moldovan republic, and received a positive answer."

"It's not up to me to decide on the numbers of troops. This decision rests with Viktor [Yushchenko]," he specified.

Today the united peacekeeping force includes troops from Russia, Moldova, and Transdnestr. Ukraine is represented by a group of ten military observers.

Kiev is getting ready to send its peacekeepers into Transdnestr, in parallel with efforts to implement its plan to settle the Transdnestr conflict.

Smirnov is emphatically against the introduction of OSCE troops into the region, which would mean a revision of the Odessa agreements in favor of the West. There is a limit to the Transdnestr leader's willingness to compromise: He is ready to deal with his "Slavic brethren," but not with Westerners.

The geopolitical struggle for Transdnestr is entering a decisive phase. Russia is trying to diversify its position by combining reserved approval of Yushchenko's plan with sharp criticism of Chisinau's attempts to provoke a split among the Transdnestr leaders (Voronin pursued this aim when he suggested abolishing the position of president of Transdnestr, and giving more powers to the Supreme Council).

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

reply posted on 23-7-2005 @ 01:34 AM by DeusEx

When I saw this thread, I just shook my head. It's surprising people don't know more about former Soviet affairs after the fall of communism.

Basically, we have a power vaccuum, and we have a LOT of suddenly unemployed KGB, Stasi, Special Forces and other military types turned out on their asses. Where do most of them go? The Vory.

en.wikipedia.org...

So, in a nutshell, you have this massive, trained, armed, underground organization that has massive power in the former Bloc countries. Great, huh? According to wikipedia, they apparently put four BILLION dollars into the Israeli economy...which is just one of the countries they operate in. In fact, I suspect they are all that is keeping more than a few former bloc countries afloat.

Think about it carefully. You have a bunch of extremely dangerous men with international contacts who suddenly become unemployed. Now, if you are a former KBG cryptographer, which job offer sounds better to you: A) FLipping burgers B) Joining up with mobsters for more than you were making in the Soviet days?

Now, to me, the miracle lies in the fact that they haven't sold any really fun toys to the Palestinians yet. If need be, these guys could essentially fight their way into Israel and fight their way back out. Between the fact that they have been armed by the millions of tonnes of abbandoned Soviet hardware, their training, and the fact that the Russian mob has a knack for infiltrating everything and its mother, I'm sure they COULD do it if they wanted.

Also, suspicions that they are smuggling stuff into Europe is largely true. In the old days, more than one in one hundred East Germans was employed by the Stasi. Scary, huh?

DE

reply posted on 31-8-2005 @ 05:43 PM by Hellmutt

Russia´s withdrawal from Transdnestr is delayed. The Russians "wouldn´t mind leaving" though. The reason they´re not leaving is that the Transdnestrians don´t want them to leave and they object to Russia's withdrawing "their property" (weapons and ammunition). Tiraspol don´t want any Western marines to be sent to Transdnestr to solve the problem...

RIA Novosti: Political reasons delay Russian withdrawal from Transdnestr - ambassador

31/ 08/ 2005

The withdrawal of Russian troops from Transdnestr, a self-proclaimed republic in Moldova, has been delayed for political reasons related to the situation in the region, a senior Russian diplomat said Wednesday.

"The reasons for the delay concern the real situation in the region rather than Russia's position," said Valery Nesterushkin, a Russian Foreign Ministry ambassador at large.

Nesterushkin said the initiative to send Western marines to Transdnestr to solve the problem was unacceptable.

"If we manage to allay Tiraspol's fears that its opinions will not be considered and that it will be forced to accept some or other terms after the arsenal is withdrawn, there will be no problems with the withdrawal," the diplomat said.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

And the US and EU might get invited to join as observers at negotiations which will take place in late September.

RIA Novosti: Transdnestr mediators may invite U.S. and EU to talks in September

31/ 08/ 2005

The mediators in the conflict between the self-proclaimed republic of Transdnestr and Moldova may agree to invite the United States and the European Union to join negotiations as observers, a senior Russian diplomat said Wednesday.

Valery Nesterushkin, a Russian Foreign Ministry ambassador at large, said the move from Russia, Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe might come in September.

The diplomat said Moldova had put forward the initiative. At first, Transdnestr leader Igor Smirnov was skeptical about the idea, but Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko convinced him in Kiev in July that the participation of the U.S. and EU could be useful.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

[edit on 2005/8/31 by Hellmutt]

reply posted on 18-9-2005 @ 02:00 PM by Hellmutt

The Transdnestr Republic does not agree to replace Russian peacekeepers with other international forces. We´ve already heard this before, but this was stated again by a Transdnestr official Wednesday. Ukraine can only send military observers.

But the most important news in my update here: Russia and the OSCE have worked out a package plan that could, if implemented, turn Moldova into a Russian military foothold on NATO's flank. "In practice, the Russian military (including those in Transnistrian uniform) would be in charge, if the agreement is signed"!

RUSSIA-OSCE MILITARY PLAN FOR MOLDOVA: BACK TO A "POST-SOVIET SECURITY SPACE"

September 15, 2005

Russia and the OSCE have worked out a package of military measures and agreements that could, if implemented, turn Moldova into a Russian military foothold on NATO's flank. The package has recently been submitted to the OSCE in Vienna, as "restricted" documents, both in the Russian-language original and in English translation, by the OSCE's American-led Moldova Mission.

The military plan would: allow Russian troops to remain indefinitely in Moldova; reduce the Moldovan and "Transnistrian" forces; legalize the latter for an open-ended transitional period, on a par with Moldova's army; create a Russian-dominated mechanism of military inspection in all of right-bank Moldova while shielding Transnistria from international inspection and verification; and invite Russia and the OSCE to train Moldovan peacekeeping troops (thus preempting similar offers to Moldova by NATO member countries). The OSCE lacks military resources to oversee implementation of any part of this agreement on the ground, and is politically hostage to Russia's veto ("consensus rule") in Vienna and in the field. In practice, the Russian military (including those in Transnistrian uniform) would be in charge, if the agreement is signed.

The plan calls for "fulfilling the commitments of the Republic of Moldova based on the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE)." This assertion reflects Russia's claim that Moldova has an obligation to ratify that Treaty despite the continuing presence of Russian troops on Moldova's territory. The plan makes no reference to Russia's 1999 Istanbul Commitments -- an integral part of the CFE Treaty -- to withdraw the Russian forces from Moldova's territory. Thus, with this plan, the OSCE takes a further step toward lifting that Russian commitment.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Recommended read regarding the CFE:
Soj: Ratify the CFE Now! (I quoted parts from this further up on this page: in this post)

RIA Novosti: UPDATE: Transdnestr against replacing Russian peacekeepers with other international forces - official

14/ 09/ 2005

The Transdnestr Republic (a self-proclaimed republic in Moldova) does not agree with replacing Russian peacekeepers with other international forces, a Transdnestr official said Wednesday.

Vitaly Yankovsky, Transdnestr Deputy Foreign Minister, said, "We do not want to change the peacekeeping contingent," adding that Ukrainian observers could join the mission since talks about the issue had been held with the former and current Ukrainian leadership.

"There is no misunderstanding on the part of Russia or other intermediaries," Yankovsky said. "However, for internal reasons, Ukraine cannot join the mission and can only send military observers now."

"They think they can resolve the Transdnestr problem themselves," he added. "But military aggression is impossible due to the existing parity of the armed forces and military hardware."

"Moldova has a simple plan - to provoke incidents in the security zone, claim that the operation is illegitimate, and demand that the international community deploy some other mission, European or American," Yankovsky said. "But, above all, they want to remove Russian peacekeepers."

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

reply posted on 19-9-2005 @ 08:32 PM by Hellmutt

A new railway was completed Monday, bypassing the Trans-Dniester Region. Tiraspol demanded pay for transit and in reply Moldova build the new railway which took seven months to complete.

ITAR-TASS: Moldova builds railway bypassing breakaway region

19.09.2005

Moldova has built a railway bypassing the breakaway Dniester Region. The final one-kilometre stretch of the railway connecting the north and the south of the republic in bypassing the Dniester Region station of Bendery was finished on Monday.

According to the Moldovan transport minister, Miron Gagauz, 42 kilometres of the railway and two railway stations had been built in seven months. “Apart from cutting the route from the north to the south of the republic by 70 kilometres, the new section has made it possible to remove pressure by the Tiraspol authorities,” the Moldovan minister emphasized.

The decision to build a bypass railway came in August 2004, when political tensions between Chisinau and Tiraspol resulted in “a war of economic sanctions”. At that time the Dniester Region announced the section of the Moldovan railway running across the breakaway region its ownership, including the base depot of Bendery.

Tiraspol set up a unitary enterprise Dniester Region Railways, and demanded a pay for the transit.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

And some more about the package mentioned in my previous post.

OSCE VERIFICATION PROCEDURES PROVIDE AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO CHEAT

The Moldovan government regards this package as an unacceptable attempt to legalize "Transnistrian" forces, keep the Russian forces in place, and increase Russia's military-political role in Moldova. This plan is closely related to the proposal for recognition of the Tiraspol authorities as legitimate. President Vladimir Voronin, on his official visit to NATO and the EU headquarters in Brussels in June, announced Moldova's intention to be a "part of the European and Euro-Atlantic security space." Russia and the OSCE, however, are telling Moldova in effect to go back to the "post-Soviet security space."

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

reply posted on 22-9-2005 @ 08:02 AM by Hellmutt

According to RIA Novosti (Russian Information Agency Novosti), William Hill ("head of the OSCE`s mission to Moldova") told Russia today that they should resume pulling out of Transdnestr as agreed during the Istanbul meeting in 1999 (The "Adapted Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty" - A treaty agreed upon by all 30 states, but never ratified. - Soj: Ratify the CFE Now!)...

RIA Novosti: Russia should resume pullout from Transdnestr - OSCE

22/ 09/ 2005

Russia should restart military pullout from Moldova's breakaway republic of Transdnestr under the Istanbul agreements, the head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe mission to Moldova said Thursday.

William Hill said Russia had done a lot after assuming the pullout obligation in 1999, but the withdrawal was suspended last March and never resumed since then. Russia stopped the pullout citing legal barriers.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

reply posted on 27-9-2005 @ 08:49 PM by Hellmutt

They´ve just finnished a two-day "round of talks" today in Ukraine and they agreed to do some more "talking" in Chisinau, Moldova at October 27-28. Very well. Lets see how this will turn out...

RIA Novosti: Talks on Transdnestr settlement conclude in Ukraine

27/ 09/ 2005

The two-day round of talks involved delegations from Moldova and Transdnestr, along with mediators (Russia, Ukraine, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe).

"The parties have agreed to resume talks on the Transdnestr settlement, with the next round to be held in Chisinau [Moldovan capital] and Tiraspol [Transdnestr capital] October 27-28," the statement said.

The United States and the European Union are expected to join the talks in October.

The delegations adopted Transdnestr's initiative to hold five-way negotiations aimed at drafting a project to monitor Transdnestr's military-industrial complex under the aegis of the OSCE.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

reply posted on 30-9-2005 @ 04:15 PM by Hellmutt

Oh hey, the talks made results. OSCE will inspect military enterprises in Transnistria...

RosBusinessConsulting: OSCE to inspect military enterprises in Transnistria

28.09.2005

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is to monitor military enterprises in Transnistria, the OSCE mission to Moldova reported. This agreement has been reached as a result of consultations on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict involving mediators from Russia, Ukraine, the OSCE and politicians from Chisinau and Tiraspol, which took place in Odessa on September 26-27, 2005.

Earlier, Moldovan authorities constantly accused Transnistria of weapons production and its illegal trafficking. They also claimed that Russian soldiers in Chechnya were being shot with the weapons made by the Transnistrian military enterprises.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

reply posted on 11-10-2005 @ 06:00 PM by Hellmutt

EU, OSCE, and Ukrainian officials interviewed by RFE/RL didn´t say they have seen any evidence of Tiraspol involvement in trafficking arms or nuclear material for dirty bombs ( they probably didn´t say anything about Santa Claus´ reindeer Rudolph either... or maybe they did? ) . Some OSCE officials interviewed by RFE/RL reportedly said that such claims are "exaggerated". An ambassador "from a large EU member state" said there is "not a shred of evidence", but a number of EU officials said that this lack of evidence does not mean that weapons smuggling does not take place...

Moldova: Western Diplomats Say Reports Of Smuggling From Transdniester Likely Exaggerated (RADIO FREE EUROPE- RADIO LIBERTY)

11 October 2005

Western diplomats in Moldova and Ukraine say reports of massive arms and drug smuggling emanating from Moldova's breakaway Transdniester region appear to be wildly exaggerated. Officials from the European Union and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), say they have no evidence that the Tiraspol regime has ever trafficked arms or nuclear material. Much of the alarm is attributed to efforts by the Moldovan government to increase pressure on Transdniester. However, Western officials are quick to note that absence of evidence does not mean dangerous activities are not taking place. They say the climate of lawlessness in Transdniester alone constitutes a threat to stability in the region.

None of the many EU, OSCE, and Ukrainian officials interviewed by RFE/RL in Moldova and Ukraine said they have seen evidence that Tiraspol is involved in trafficking arms -- or nuclear material for dirty bombs. Yet on 7 October, the charge was made by Moldovan Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan. He spoke at the Palanca border post at a ceremony launching an EU border-assistance mission. "The involvement of the EU in securing the Moldovan-Ukrainian border will ensure fighting the negative phenomena which take place at the border, such as smuggling, corruption, organized crime, trafficking in human beings, etc." Stratan said. "And this will create an environment of security and regional stability." Stratan did not elaborate when pressed by RFE/RL. OSCE officials interviewed by RFE/RL say such claims are exaggerated. An ambassador to Chisinau from a large EU member state told RFE/RL there is "not a shred of evidence" to back up the allegations. An EU official based in Brussels said an EU delegation that toured the Moldovan-Ukrainian border area for 10 days in August did not manage to unearth a single source claiming to have information about weapons smuggling.

A number of EU officials warn that the absence of evidence does not mean weapons smuggling does not take place. The EU's border monitoring mission in Moldova and Ukraine beginning on 1 December is expected to cast light on the issue in the course of its two-year mandate. OSCE officials in Chisinau told RFE/RL that Transdniester's weapons industry is thought to be limited to manufacturing handguns for its 18,000-strong security force, as well as sniper rifles. An official said Tiraspol recently invited the OSCE to inspect any of its facilities -- but added that he is doubtful if such access will really be granted.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Very diplomatic language used here. Nobody said they have seen any evidence of smuggling, corruption, organized crime, trafficking in human beings, etc... blahblahblah. It´s so easy to read between the lines. Are we to believe that there is actually "nothing to see here"?

reply posted on 22-10-2005 @ 03:18 AM by Hellmutt

Moldova calls on OSCE member states to intervene in the security zone. The Tiraspol regime is "harassing" the local population near Dorotcaia. Moldova says there are violations of the fundamental human rights in the region.

Moldova Azi: Moldova Calls on OSCE to Intervene in Security Zone

October 21 2005

Moldova seeks from the OSCE member states to intervene in the security zone and to condemn the obvious violations of the fundamental human rights in the region.

“The separatist regime in Tiraspol is responsible for blocking the activity of the Unified Control Commission (UCC), as well as for tensing the situation in the security zone by continuously restricting the owners’ access to the agricultural lands located in the vicinity of Dorotcaia village,” the quoted source said.

In Moldovan delegation’s opinion, the tolerance of the situation and harassment of the local population by the separatist regime’s structures is unacceptable.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.