THE UNITED States and Germany are pushing for the demilitarisation of the de-facto border zone between Moldova and its rebel region of Transdniestria, and the deployment of civilian monitors under the auspices of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Ireland holds the chairmanship of the 56-nation OSCE this year, and the proposal is expected to be discussed at talks on the Transdniestria “frozen conflict” scheduled for next month in Dublin.
Representatives of Moldova, Transdniestria, Russia, Ukraine and the OSCE, with diplomats from the EU and US in attendance as observers, are also likely to discuss an incident in the border area that resulted in a Russian peacekeeper shooting dead a local man.
“The United States expresses its deep regret over the shooting incident that occurred January 1st in the security zone and our condolences for the tragic death of Mr Vadim Pisari,” the US embassy in the Moldovan capital Chisinau said in a statement. “This incident highlights the need for demilitarisation of the security zone to avoid similar occurrences in the future. We join the European Union in confirming our readiness to participate actively in discussions on the demilitarisation of the region and the corresponding transformation of the current peacekeeping operations . . . into a mission under the auspices of the OSCE.”
Moldova also wants a civilian and police mission to replace the current military peacekeeping contingent on the border, but Russia and Transdniestria have resisted such a change. The German embassy in Chisinau also urged demilitarisation of the border, where Russian officials said Mr Pisari was shot after driving dangerously and ignoring warning shots from troops.
Violence has been a rare occurrence since about 1,000 people died in fighting that saw Transdniestria break away from Chisinau’s rule in 1992. After the Soviet Union collapsed, much of the region’s mostly Russian-speaking population wanted to retain close ties to Moscow and feared a Moldovan union with neighbouring Romania, with which it has historical and linguistic ties.
No country has recognised Transdniestria’s independence, but Moscow has given it financial and diplomatic support. Russia also keeps about 1,500 troops and 20,000 tonnes of Soviet-era weaponry in the tiny region, which has a reputation for lawlessness.
Formal peace talks brokered by the OSCE recommenced last month after a six-year hiatus.
