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Transnistrian Conflict on December 15, 2003 – January 11, 2004

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The Resolution of the European Parliament on Moldova

On 18 December, the Parliament of the European Union adopted a Resolution on Moldova, in which it stated its “support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova as the basis for any peaceful solution of the Transnistrian conflict; welcomes the establishment of a joint constitutional commission, but is disappointed that the commission has not made any substantial progress”, and “considers that the peace plan presented by Russia in order to legitimise the present situation is an obstacle to the further development of democracy in Moldova and does not contribute to the stabilisation of the whole region”. Furthermore, the European Parliament “deplores the fact that the Russian Government does not intend to withdraw its arms and troops before the end of 2003 despite its repeated commitments; … welcomes the position of most of the ministers taking part in the 11th OSCE Ministerial Council in favour of providing an OSCE mandate for a multinational peace consolidation mission … and would like the EU to join this mission”. At the same time, the EU Parliament “urges the Governments of Romania, Ukraine and Russia to refrain from any unilateral interference in Moldova’s internal affairs and to work together with the OSCE, the EU and the Council of Europe in order to foster the stable and peaceful development of all countries in the region”.

Post-“Kozak Memorandum” developments

Two more trainloads of Russian arms were transported from Transnistria on 18 and 23 December. Moreover, according to a communique of military structures from Moscow, quoted by Russian news agencies, on 27 December, transporter aircrafts IL-76, owned by the Russian Defence Ministry, evacuated the entire stock of mobile rocket launchers (PZRK) and the one of teleguided anti-air rockets (ZUR). The OSCE Mission to Moldova spokesperson Claus Neukirch confirmed the fact that two Russian aircrafts evacuated weaponry from Transnistria on the said date, but could not say anything with regard to the composition and quantity of the loads, because the OSCE Mission observers were not allowed to monitor the evacuation as they lacked the authorisation of the Russian Federation.

According to data from the Operational Group of Russian Troops in Transnistria, 40 trainloads of weaponry and nine of military equipment were evacuated from Transnistria during 2003. The quantity of evacuated loads amounts to over 20,000 tons, which is approximately half the initial stock of 43, 000 tons left behind by the 14th Soviet Army. According to an earlier statement by the Russian Defence Minister, Russia might need another six months to complete the withdrawal, provided that the current pace of evacuation adopted in late October, that is two trainloads per week, is maintained.

Earlier, the Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov told a press conference organised for representatives of Russian and official Transnistrian media that the failure by the Moldovan authorities to sign the Russian plan of settling the conflict offers Moscow “political and moral” opportunities to change the deadline for the withdrawal of its weapons from Transnistria. According to Russian press agencies, Smirnov said that “we will not put any pressure on Russia, but will simply stop the evacuation of Russian arms, should we feel that our security is under threat.”

Transnistria has not yet put into practice its threats to block the evacuation of Russian arms from the region, although a number of Transnistrian officials had previously announced they intended to do so because, they said, the refusal of the Moldovan authorities to sign the so-called “Kozak” plan of solving the conflict breached the principle of synchronising the withdrawal of arms with finding a political solution to the conflict.

The OSCE Mission to Moldova, in a response statement, said that the withdrawal of Russian arms and troops from the territory of the Republic of Moldova and the political settlement of the conflict are two completely separate processes and there has never been a direct connection between them. At the same time, the OSCE Mission reiterated the international commitments of the Russian Federation to withdraw fully its troops and arms and expressed hope that it will find ways to overcome whatever obstacle there is to fulfilling those commitments.

A new plan of settling the Transnistrian conflict

In his speech held during the closing meeting of the autumn-winter session of the Parliament, President Voronin gave up his usually optimistic tone with regard to the resolution of the Transnistrian conflict and insisted on the fact that while the Transnistrian issue is an object of certain “geopolitical ambitions”, the Republic of Moldova will agree to a solution that is acceptable to all sides — Russia, the EU and the OSCE. President Voronin confirmed that at present a new plan of solving the conflict is being drafted in Chisinau. In a statement made later, Voronin said that the new plan would be based on the principle of federalising Moldova, elaborate on the “Kozak” plan and include a number of already tested and partially accepted provisions.

Moldovan papers no longer valid in Transnistria

On 1 January 2004, the decision of the Transnistrian administration whereby the Transnistrian administrative bodies are instructed not to recognise documents issued by Moldovan authorities unless they have been authorised by relevant legal institutions from Transnistria entered into force.

The decision was commented upon by the Moldova Minister of Reintegration Vasile Sova as a flagrant violation of the basic human rights by the Transnistrian regime and yet another attempt to compromise the relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol.

December 1–14, 2003 January 12–25, 2004