Monitoring→Politics→Transnistrian Conflict

Parliamentary hearings by Russia’s State Duma

Members of the Russian State Duma insisted to react at all costs to the Kosovo case. They held parliamentary hearings on March 18, 2008 regarding “settlement of conflicts in the Commonwealth of Independent States and Russia’s appeal concerning recognition of independence of Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Moldovan Transnistrian Republic.” Many Russian parliamentarians insisted during debates that the three separatist enclaves have been built on the basis of willingness of majority of their residents. In spite of diplomatic non-recognition, international relations cover them, as these regions are not under the jurisdiction of Georgia and Moldova for 16 years. But Russian lawmakers consider that litigations will be settled on basis of the negotiations, equality of the conflicting sides, without pressures and with respect for previous agreements, both in case of Georgia and of Moldova. They worked out an appeal to the Russian Government after hearings, launching practical recommendations. Russian parliamentarians made a difference between Moldova and Georgia during debates, stressing the inclination of the first towards loyalty and concession and the firmness of the latter. Main clauses of the appeal by the State Duma to the Russian Government are known: it seeks consultations aimed to find ways to recognise the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; opening of Russian representatives from Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia; great intensification of economic and commercial cooperation with the separatist enclaves concerned; introduction of a simplified Russian border crossing regime for residents of the three separatist enclaves; opening of branches of the Russian Savings Bank in the three entities. The State Duma will adopt these recommendations at a March 21-scheduled sitting. Lawmakers representing the Russian Communist Party called for the recognition of independence of Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russian communists consider that the recognition of the three separatist enclaves would be a signal to wake up Ukraine, which wants to join NATO in spite of the Crimea problem.

Theses of a speech delivered by Transnistrian speaker Evgeny Shevchyuk during Duma hearings

Shevchyuk has reviewed the Transnistrian problem during hearings in the State Duma. His speech was snivelling but it also accused and ridiculed Russia for having declared Transnistria as a region of its strategic interests and not daring to take adequate actions. He noted that:

• The State Duma has made more than ten decisions, appeals on Transnistria in more than 18 years of existence of Transnistria. It declared Transnistria as a “zone of strategic interests of Russia” at hearings held in 1995, 1996 and 1997;
• Transnistria has suffered after the “blockade” imposed by Moldova jointly with Ukraine and EUBAM, as well as after Russia’s reactions against Moldova;
• There are historical facts confirming the rights of Transnistria such as referenda it had held and encouraging reactions by Russian authorities towards referenda, signed memorandums and rights they would award to Transnistria;
• Approximately 200,000 people or 1/4 of residents have left the separatist region of Moldova after the State Duma had declared Transnistria as a “strategic zone of Russia”;
• The international community should react to the fact that people in Transnistria earn lowest salaries, as this encourage the massive emigration of citizens;
• Approximately 7,000 residents left the Transnistrian region in 2007 only, including because of the lack of an adequate healthcare. Should things go the same way, the population of the region could decrease to 300,000 residents by 2015 (Transnistria has approximately 550,000 residents at present);
• The region faces a 30-percent inflation rate. For comparison, prices of elementary goods in Transnistria are comparable with those in Moscow and Sankt-Petersburg, though earnings of Transnistrians are threefold lower than of Russians. At the same time, basic food products are by 10–20 percent dearer in Transnistria than in Moscow, which is one of most expenses cities in the world;
• Romanian danger persists and statements by President Traian Basescu, particularly regarding plans to award the Romanian citizenship to all citizens of Moldova regardless their ethnic is a proof in this respect;
• Statements and attitudes saying that the pro-Russia orientation of Transnistrians is the cause of their sufferings are intensifying;
• Transnistria has more rights to independence than Kosovo does. The separation of Montenegro and Serbia could be a precedent for Transnistria. But priority is awarded to political benefit reasons rather than to Transnistria’s right. Russia sees a catholicon of the conflict resolution in negotiations on constitution of a federation with Moldova, so that the Kozak memorandum was elaborated. But this attitude makes hundreds of Transnistrians who are citizens of Russia feel themselves guinea pigs;
• Transnistrians have made a decision regarding their future at the 2006 referendum. However, the independence was not recognised and, therefore, a legal recognition of Transnistria is required for a normal development of the region, which refused to unite with Romania in 1991;
• The February 18, 2008 Duma statement on the declaration recognising the independence of Kosovo noted that this event creates premises for Russia to change attitude towards self-proclaimed republics;
• Given these facts and the social-economic situation in the region, Russia should take a set of actions in order to award commercial and other preferences to Transnistria.

Also, Shevchyuk has recommended the Duma to consider and make a decision aimed to find the “point” of instability and indeterminacy. It is hard to understand what Shevchiuk wanted to say, but it seems that he threatened over approaching “point” of the collapse of the Transnistrian regime.

Voronin-Smirnov controversy

On March 11, 2008, prior to hearings by the State Duma, President Voronin reiterated for Russian public, in an interview with the Moscow-based newspaper Kommersant, the facts it has said in a TV interview for Moldovan audience. He stated the following:

• There is not secret Transnistria settlement plan. A package of documents has been worked out and shared to mediators and observers, and it will ensure the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict;
• The package of documents recommended to negotiators meets the July 22, 2005 Law concerning basic principles of the status of Moldova’s Transnistrian region;
• The package of documents refers to the status of Transnistria; necessary guarantees; the withdrawal of weaponry from the region; the withdrawal of the Russian military presence; the civil peacekeeping mission;
• Transnistria will be awarded a wide autonomy within the effective constitutional framework of Moldova. Transnistria’s status will comprise elements from previous documents, including the Kozak Memorandum;
• A declaration in which participants in the “Five-Plus-Two” negotiation process, except for Transnistria, would recognise the neutrality of Moldova should be adopted;
• A “travel paper” will be needed to implement these documents, and if so, Transnistria will participate in the 2009 parliamentary elections;
• Russian authorities back these approaches and call for the resumption of the “Five-Plus-Two” negotiations;
• Moldova will not nationalise properties from Transnistria and it will recognise them if the privatisation was legal;
• The reunited Moldova should assume the 1.6-billion-dollar debts of Transnistria;
• The president of Moldova is ready to negotiate with Smirnov, in order to settle the Transnistrian conflict;

Two days later the same newspaper has published a reply by Smirnov. The Transnistrian leader hinted in a bantering manner that Voronin’s statements are fanciful. He stressed the impossibility of building a common state with Moldova, citing results of the September 2006 referendum. Also, Smirnov noted that all recent actions by President Voronin are linked to preparations for the 2009 parliamentary elections. He reiterated that Russia is firmly seeking an equal footing for the conflicting sides and a mutually acceptable solution.

Social problems

Transnistrian unionists continue to warn over eventual riots. They noted that the galloping rise of tariffs for communal services and prices of food and household products on background of the freezing of salaries may motivate Transnistrian residents to try defending their rights through alternative methods. The inflation in January was 4.2 percent while a 12-percent annual inflation rate was planned. Salaries of doctors, teachers and other budgetary categories are low, they earn between 50 and 100 dollars. They spend at least half of their earnings on food and another 30–40 percent on communal services. Under these conditions, doctors for example massively tender resignation. More than 1,000 doctors tendered resignation in 2007 and this number is doubling this year. In consequence, approximately 60 percent of Transnistrians have to seek healthcare in Chisinau or Odessa, Transnistrian unionists added.

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