Transnistrian Conflict on April 16–30, 2011

Russian ruling party invests in Transnistria’s future

Representatives of the State Duma, particularly of the Russian ruling party “Edinaya Rossia” (United Russia) organised a roundtable on April 19, 2011 themed “Strategy 2020 — experience for Transnistria” aimed “to adapt the Russian experience to the strategic planning on drafting the «Development strategy of Transnistria until 2025». The strategy designates ways to settle economic problems of Transnistria by strengthening relations with Russia; implement the constitutional reform as an important step forward modernizing Transnistria; build a potential framework and intensify cultural integration.” The roundtable brought together the chairman of the State Duma committee on international affairs, Constantin Kosachev, the deputy head of the Duma Apparatus, Yuri Shuvalov, the chairman of the committee on CIS affairs and relations with fellow citizens, Alexei Ostrovsky, the chairman of the committee on economic policy and entrepreneurship, Yevgeni Fedorov, the deputy chairman of the committee on public associations and religious organisations, Sergei Markov, the director of the international institute for political expertise, Yevgeni Minchenko, etc. Taking part in the roundtable on behalf of Transnistria were representatives of the majority party “Obnovlenie” (Renewal) in the Supreme Soviet, party leader and Transnistrian speaker Anatoly Kaminsky, as well as Transnistrian foreign minister Vladimir Yastrebchyak. According to the news agency INFOTAG, Russia’s official authorities verbally call for a united and integral Moldova and a special status for Transnistria as part of Moldova, while the reality is completely another, as Russian experts help authorities of the self-proclaimed Transnistrian republic work out the “Development strategy of Transnistria until 2025”, which does not indicate any union with Moldova.

Moscow will not quit Transnistria, will decide Smirnov’s fate

While on a visit to Moscow, Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov has met the head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Sergei Narishkin, and the secretary of the Russian Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev. The sides discussed issues related to the future presidential elections in Transnistria set for December 2011. Smirnov, who turns 70 years old in October, informed that he intends to participate in elections in order to run for the fifth mandate of president. He noted that he will accept a restricted access to the office of Transnistrian president in future, when he will no longer be capable to compete. According to Smirnov, by limiting the number of presidential mandates, “people are actually deprived of the right to elect who it wants.” Smirnov’s visit to Moscow is remarkable for the fact that he had to declare readiness to restart the Transnistrian settlement negotiations with Moldova, stressing that “bad negotiations are better than a good war.” However, Smirnov underlined that he cannot begin a real negotiation process as long as Moldova does not elect a president. Russian press reportsRU commented Smirnov’s statements, introducing them as a reaction to allusions of the Kremlin administration that it would like somebody else to replace president Smirnov because the latter is intransigent regarding the resumption of the “5+2” negotiations. Igor Smirnov and Supreme Soviet speaker Anatoly Kaminsky, leader of the ruling party “Obnovlenie” stated after visiting Moscow that the Kremlin administration assured them of intentions not to give up Transnistria, while a consensus on constitutional amendments was reached in Tiraspol. The ruling party “Obnovlenie” will hold a congress on May 14 and could choose a rival to compete with Smirnov at the December-scheduled elections.

Visa-free facilities for Russia discussed in Transnistrian settlement framework

Within the framework of the Russia-EU political dialogue, Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Grushko met the deputy executive secretary-general of the European External Action Service in Brussels on April 19, 2011. The meeting focussed on a number of issues of mutual interest, including prospects to introduce visa-free facilities for Russians. It is worth to note that the issue was discussed in a larger framework including the Transnistrian settlement problem. The next day, on April 20, another Russian deputy minister of foreign relations, Georgy Karasin, discussed the same issues within the same framework with the German Federal Foreign Ministry’s special envoy for Central Europe, Southern Caucasus and Central Asia, Patricia Flor.

Economic situation in Transnistria in light of electoral race

Transnistria keeps facing a precarious economic condition. According to statistics, in January-March 2011 Transnistrian businesses exported commodities worth 92 percent of the value of goods exported in the same period of last year.

The reason is that the Ribnita-based Metallurgical Plant (UMR) is stagnating since July 2010 and could not resume the service. This happens despite the fact that UMR paid off budgetary credits worth 30 million dollars got as part of the anti-crisis programme in 2009. The main barrier on way of restart of UMR service is related to interdictions of the Transnistrian Customs Service headed by the son of Igor Smirnov, Vladimir, who accuses UMR of having provided distorted data on value of used iron imported from Russia and Kazakhstan to restart activity. Local observers indicate a race between clans of Smirnov and ruling party “Obnovlenie”, which will run for the December-scheduled electoral race.

Moldovan opposition undermines positions of own country for political dividends

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (MAEIE) had to turn down accusations brought by the leader of the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM), Vladimir Voronin, that “MAEIE would secretly prepare a National Security Strategy on the armed settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.” For the sake of dividends in the internal political battle the PCRM undermines the positions of Moldovan Government, drawing water to the Transnistrian regime’s mill. The deal is about a news conference held by PCRM leader Vladimir Voronin to introduce a draft law concerning the permanent neutrality status of Moldova, stating as follows: “The Alliance for European Integration (AIE) has turned into an alliance for Euro-Atlantic integration. The Defense Ministry signs secret agreements with Romania, political programmes of the alliance member parties seek the accession to NATO. The Foreign Ministry has worked out a national security strategy which leaves no doubt that the acting regime started settling the Transnistrian conflict through military methods.” In this framework, MAEIE had to provide explanations, insisting that the National Security Strategy was released in May 2010. The Government has further approved the draft and delivered it to the Parliament. The strategy was discussed within the competent commission which includes PCRM deputies as well. Therefore, MAEIE warns that “Such statements may hit our national interests and give fuel for speculations to those unwilling a peaceful reintegration of the Republic of Moldova.”

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