Posted on 09/22/2006 6:42:51 PM PDT by joan
The problem of withdrawal of Russian armed forces and armament from the territory of the republic remains a priority of OSCE mission in Moldavia, Head of OSCE mission to Republic of Moldova Luis O’Neill stated Sep 20 at a press conference in Chisinau, REGNUM correspondent reports.
“Commitments undertaken by the Russian Federation at the OSCE summit in Istanbul remain in force, and Mission is ready to exert help to Russia in this regard and insists that the process is continued.” According to O’Neill, 20,000 tons of ammunitions can be evacuated in six months, given the necessary political will is available."
O’Neill also said that he would like to check out the situation at Russian military supply depot in the Kolbasna village. He said he coordinated the issue with the Ministry of Defense of Russia, and commander of Russian military task force. The OSCE Moldavian mission head complained that the Transdnestr officials, however, did not let him and his team members on the left bank of Dnestr. He blamed the task force of being incapable of performing anything and concluded that that was “a very dangerous trend.”
19:33 | 21/ 09/ 2006
MOSCOW, September 21 (RIA Novosti) - The leader of Moldova's breakaway republic of Transdnestr asked Russia Thursday to increase the number of its peacekeepers in the region.
Transdnestr, which has a predominantly Russian-speaking population, proclaimed independence from Moldova in the early 1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Armed clashes between Moldova and Transdnestr ensued, and Russia has been part of the peacekeeping mission in the breakaway region ever since.
The Russian contingent originally numbered 3,100 peacekeepers but has been gradually reduced to 385.
"We are asking Russia to increase its peacekeeping presence," Igor Smirnov said, adding that the self-proclaimed republic is strong enough to defeat Moldova in case of a military conflict.
Transdnestr held a referendum last Sunday and voted for independence and future union with Russia.
But the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe refuses to recognize the outcome. It said holding the referendum unilaterally was a threat to Moldova's territorial integrity, and that the event could heighten tensions in the region.
OSCE ping
so, any question about the purpose for driving the Independence of Kosovo..........? /sarc
Main objective of OSCE mission in Moldavia is withdrawal of Russian military from Transdnestr==
Yes it is needed in order to give Moldova the opportunity to conquest Transnistria by force. With russian peacekeeper present Moldova will fail her military attack on Transnistria.
Sending Serbian Peacekeepers in Moldova... Abkhazia... South Osetia... Why not.... As I often say, There is sooo mich places for new "Bondsteel" camps arround Europe...
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