Transnistrian Conflict

brief

Transnistrian Conflict on October 1–31, 2011

Chisinau prepares “route map” for Transnistrian settlement

The newly-created situation was reconsidered after the September 22 meeting in Moscow, which decided to resume the official “5+2” negotiations. On October 10, Premier Vlad Filat met the head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Philip Remler, who stressed that the OSCE Mission will do its best to settle the Transnistrian conflict and expects the official “5+2” negotiations to restart as soon as possible. Taking part in the meeting was also Deputy Premier for Reintegration Eugen Carpov, who reported steps to be made in the near future with the purpose to find solutions to the Transnistrian settlement. Deputy Premier Eugen Carpov noted that the settlement process entered a new quality phase after the Moscow meeting, which requires more focus, efforts and responsibility from participants in the negotiation process. In fact, the Moscow decision is a signal that all participants are ready to find the best solution to the Transnistrian conflict. In this respect, Moldovan authorities work on a country reintegration strategy to help work out an appropriate route map.

CoE Commissioner for Human Rights on fact-collection visit

On October 20, Deputy Prime Minister Eugen Carpov met Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, who was on a working visit to Moldova, and informed him in connection with developments related to the Transnistrian settlement. According to Carpov, following are the parameters of a viable solution to the Transnistrian conflict: the development of the political dialogue with all partners involved in the “5+2” format; the reintegration of the country with respect for the internationally recognised borders; the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova; the respect for human rights. In this respect, it was noted that human rights are violated in the Transnistrian region, as citizens are illegally arrested and held there, while children’s rights to learn the native language are ignored and the free move of population is obstructed.

Ilie Cazac released

According to a governmental press release, Moldovan citizen Ilie Cazac was released on October 31. Cazac was formally released after being assoiled by Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov. On the other hand, the Moldovan Government expressed thanks to all partners involved in the “5+2” negotiations, representatives of other states and international organisations for their support to release Ilie Cazac. Resident of the Bender municipality controlled by the Transnistrian regime, Ilie Cazac was arrested in March 2010 and sentenced to a 14-year jail term in February 2011 on espionage charges. Previously, another Moldovan citizen who resides Transnistria, journalist Ernest Vardanean, was arrested on espionage charges and sentenced to a 15-year jail term. Vardanean was assoiled and released on May 5, 2011 upon advocacy of the Russian Orthodox Church.

International support for Transnistrian settlement

Deputy Prime Minister Eugen Carpov met Swedish Minister for European Affairs Birgitta Ohlsson on October 21 and discussed country reintegration matters. Stressing the importance of the decision of the September 22, 2011 Moscow meeting on resumption of the official “5+2” negotiations, Deputy Premier Carpov said that issuing a special legal status for the Transnistrian region as part of the Republic of Moldova, with respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity principles is the No.1 objective of the official negotiations in eyes of Moldovan authorities. Mrs. Ohlsson noted that Sweden is ready to help settling the Transnistrian conflict by assisting sector task forces, protection of human rights, etc. On October 24, Eugen Carpov met Ambassador Patricia Flor, deputy director-general, special representative for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia in the German Foreign Ministry. The high-ranking official reconfirmed that Germany will keep assisting Moldova in the Transnistrian settlement process.

Decision to resume the “5+2” negotiations does not change Tiraspol’s attitudes

On the other hand, Tiraspol authorities displayed scepticism with Chisinau’s expectations, underlining that the territorial reintegration of the Republic of Moldova is not part of their agenda. Even more, the Transnistrian foreign minister stated that the decision of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers to extend until September 30, 2012 the current travel ban on Transnistrian leaders (the validity of decision was suspended for half a year, till the end of March 2012 and may be extended or cancelled depending on progresses in settling the Transnistrian conflict) “brings to naught the EU claims of mediator of the Moldovan-Transnistrian settlement… and this fact will have an impact on the way European diplomats will further travel to the territory of Transnistria, which will introduce asymmetric, but appropriate measures.” The Transnistrian administration took actions to strain the situation in the region even before the decision to resume the “5+2” negotiations. Thus, the Moldovan delegation to the Joint Control Commission (CUC) had on October 7 to raise the problem of illegal installation by Transnistrian authorities of a new checkpoint at the crossroad Tiraspol-Dubasari-Pohrebea. The Transnistrian administration explained that the road renovated by authorities of Pohrebea village by using local funds “could be used by trucks which smuggle goods, weapons and drugs…” According to a Transnistrian representative to CUC, “vehicles which previously crossed Cosnita and Dorotcaia use now the renovated road. We had to control this process and react, as this is a supplementary road for Moldovan police to transport Transnistrian citizens.”

Transnistria gets ready for presidential elections, Russia prepares legislative elections

Potential electoral competitors for the December 11 presidential elections in Transnistria are revolted with the discriminatory treatment of Transnistrian authorities. This kind of treatment was signalled to the Council of the Public Chamber of Russia, which decided to get involved by raising concern “with the difficult political situation in Transnistria before the December 11, 2011 presidential elections… Appeals received by the Public Chamber from Russian citizens who are residents of Transnistria signal a serious failure of social and economic policy. The discontentment of citizens with living standards is on the rise, salaries are falling down, while people able to work leave for abroad to seek jobs there. In particular, young people leave the republic, as they do not see any future at home… Fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens are violated, and the incumbent president of the republic and his team exercise a strong pressure of electoral campaign both on politicians and on businessmen, leaders of public organisations… We fear that such a practice is inacceptable. The presidential elections in Transnistria shall develop in a truly democratic environment, shall be open, fair and really representative. We are ready to monitor the elections.”

In this context, the visit of Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin to Chisinau to discuss the development of bilateral relations and opening of polling stations in Transnistria for elections to the State Duma of Russia is important. Russian authorities have plans to open 25 polling stations in Transnistria for the Russian parliamentary elections, while Moldovan authorities do not warm this intention. Four years ago Russia ignored protests of Moldovan authorities and opened as many polling stations as they wanted, like in own sovereign territory. This time, the Russian diplomat is more precautious, as he assured that he understands the Moldovan legislation, but “the wish of Russian citizens to participate in elections shall be taken into account as well. That’s why we shall find a reasonable solution to this problem.”

Presidential elections in Transnistria

Five candidates applied for participation in the December 11, 2011 presidential elections: independent Yevgeny Shevchyuk, member of the Supreme Soviet; independent Oleg Horzhan, member of the Supreme Soviet and leader of the Party of Communists of Transnistria; independent Andrei Safonov, editor of the Russian-language newspaper “Novaya Gazeta”; Anatoly Kaminsky, head of the Supreme Soviet and leader of the political party “Obnovlenye”; Igor Smirnov, candidate representing the staff of the Kuchyurgan-based heating plant. The public movement “Uniunea Populara” [People’s Union] was built to support Igor Smirnov in the race for the fifth presidential mandate; it held a congress with the participation of approximately 600 delegates and decided “to unconditionally support Igor Smirnov and the Transnistria development policy aimed to strengthen all social-political forces in the republic… It aims to remove the danger in the race for the seat of president, when more and more political provokers make the scene with the purpose to discredit promoters of the Transnistrian statehood, the true patriots.”

The congress adopted an address to the leader of the Russian People’s Front, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, warning that the Russian leadership has got a distorted picture of the situation in Transnistria made by messengers of “Obnovlenye” party, whose leader Anatoly Kaminsky does not represent the interests of the Transnistrian people. Kaminsky felt the effects of the appeal of Smirnov’s supporters immediately. He got a letter from the chairman of the Transnistrian Central Electoral Commission (CEC), Pyotr Denisenko, who asked him to table the report of the party’s congress, the list of delegates, reports by revising commission. Kaminsky had an outraged reaction, saying in his quality of leader of the majority party in the Supreme Soviet that “the legislation stipulates the list of documents to be submitted to CEC and, therefore, CEC has no right to ask a candidate to provide other documents foreseen by the law.” In addition, the demand of the CEC head is personal and is not based on any decision by the institution he leads, and therefore, Kaminsky demanded the reasons of his request.

However, Moscow will decide who is stronger — Kaminsky or Smirnov. Hereby, the head of the Russian Presidential Administration, Sergei Narishkin, disagreed on October 13 with the participation of candidate Igor Smirnov in the Transnistrian elections for the fifth mandate of president, describing this decision as wrong. Narishkin noted that Russian authorities carefully watch the evolution of political situation in the region, as “Russia is a guarantor of stability and security there.” According to Narishkin, “Igor Smirnov has done much for the republic at the beginning, but he is ruling the country for already 20 years and runs now for the fifth mandate… We advise Smirnov to let new political forces help the region get rid of the social crisis and give up huge efforts aimed to eliminate his rivals… The candidate of the «Obnovlenye» party, Anatoly Kaminski, could be a good president capable to settle the problems.” Of course, Smirnov’s supporters are expecting an appropriate message from Premier Vladimir Putin.

The warning of the head of the Kremlin Administration regarding the inopportunity for Igor Smirnov to run for the fifth presidential mandate was ignored. In consequence, other persuasion methods were likely introduced. Thus, a communication was released on October 28 to report that the Moscow Inquiry Committee (CA) has filed criminal charges against Oleg Smirnov, the son of the Transnistrian leader. According to the CA communication, Oleg Smirnov is the special representative of the Transnistrian president in charge with social-economic cooperation with Russia, is a citizen of the Russian Federation and has his domicile in Moscow. He is suspected of having embezzled 160 million roubles (about 5 million dollars), which the Russian Federation allocated in 2008 to assist Transnistria. CA considers that Oleg Smirnov together with the deputy governor of the Transnistrian republican bank, Oleg Brizitski, embezzled the funds foreseen to complete by 15 dollars the pensions of Transnistrian residents from the Russian assistance. According to CA, Oleg Smirnov has allegedly used the stolen funds to buy several apartments in Moscow and a luxury real estate in the prestigious suburb of the Russian capital, Odintsovo. As well, Oleg Smirnov started up some businesses in Moscow and fiscal organs will check their legality. The criminal case was filed under Article 160 (4) of the Criminal Code (grave appropriation).

Tensions in Security Zone

A new hotbed of tension has arisen in the Security Zone. On that occasion, the Moldovan delegation to the Joint Control Commission (CUC) released a statement to raise concern with “actions taken contrary to an October 20, 2011 address by representatives of the OSCE, Russian Federation and Ukraine to CUC, which mediators released to invite the parties to refrain from any unilateral actions capable to deteriorate the situation in the region.” On October 24, “Transnistrian police bodies illegally installed two new so-called migration checkpoints near the village of Pohrebea and canal embankment of the Dubasari-based hydroelectric power plant,” without the consent of leading organs of the peacekeeping mission and by breaching CUC decisions and the 1992 Ceasefire Agreement. The Moldovan CUC delegation demanded “the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the illegal checkpoints and existing obstacles to free move of people.” On the other hand, Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov assured that the checkpoints are in charge with checking the traffic in goods, so that to combat the smuggling in drugs, weapons and the move of criminals. According to Smirnov, Transnistria will not accept the opening of an offshore area in the Security Zone, and the control does not mean the taxation of goods.

Tensions in the Security Zone were the topic of a discussion between Igor Smirnov and Mrs. Patricia Flor, deputy director general, special representative for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia in the German Foreign Ministry, and the director for Europe and Central Asia of the European External Action Service, Mr. Miroslaw Lajcak. Smirnov insisted that 28 incidents against Transnistria took place in the Security Zone in the latest period. According to Smirnov, Transnistrian security head Vladimir Antiufeev was empowered to coordinate actions of police forces, in a move to prevent Moldova’s provocations in the Security Zone. In their turn, European diplomats insisted that the confidence-building process between the two banks of the Dniester will be long and difficult and it requires a reciprocal benevolence to settle pressing issues.

e-democracy.md