Tiraspol - Moldova - Mafia in Uniform

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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The real obstacle, and the truly dangerous hazard, is Moldova

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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.

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.

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.

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".