Radio România Internațional

Tag: frozen conflict

  • UN backs call on Russia to pull out troops from Moldova

    UN backs call on Russia to pull out troops from Moldova

    As anticipated by analysts, the UN General Assembly adopted by a large majority a draft resolution tabled by the Republic of Moldova, requesting the withdrawal of Russian troops from the pro-Russian separatist region of Transdniester. Ten countries worked on drafting the document, including Moldovas neighbours Romania and Ukraine, the 3 Baltic states, themselves subject to half a century of Soviet occupation, and key members of the European Union and NATO, such as Britain and Poland.



    A steady supporter of the independence and integrity of the neighbouring state, Bucharest promptly hailed the adoption of the resolution by a vote of 64 to 15, and 83 abstentions. The USA, Germany, France, Canada, Turkey and Japan are among the relevant international players that have backed the request for Russia to withdraw its military. Voting against were some of Moscows loyal allies, such as Armenia and Belarus, as well as the dictatorial regimes of North Korea, Syria and Cuba.



    The separatist authorities of Transdniester and the pro-Russian president of Moldova, Igor Dodon, did not conceal their frustration. However, on behalf of the pro-Western Government of the Republic of Moldova, the former PM and foreign minister and current deputy PM Iurie Leanca said the outcome of the vote is a success:



    Iurie Leanca: “We are all aware that a resolution adopted in the General Assembly is of a rather symbolic nature, yet symbolism means a lot in international relations. And although we do not expect immediate moves in that region and the withdrawal of the ammunition and the troops guarding the ammunition there, nevertheless this is a very important goal.



    The scene of an armed conflict that killed hundreds and only ended following the intervention of Russian troops on the side of the separatists, Transdniester has been outside the control of Moldovan authorities since 1992. The Republic of Moldova, which had just proclaimed its independence the year before, still had no armed forces of its own at that time, so it only sent police corps and volunteer units to face the Russian military.



    Moscow itself has not recognised the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Transdniester, a region often described as a crime haven at the gates of Europe, a hub of arms, drugs and human trafficking. In 1999, at the OSCE summit in Istanbul, Russias then president Boris Yeltsin undertook to pull out arms and troops from Transdniester. The process ground to full halt 5 years later, and Moldovan authorities estimate that today 1,500 to 1,700 Russian troops and some 21,000 tons of ammunition still illegally remain in the breakaway east of the country.


    (translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)

  • Transdniester: Long-Term Separatism

    Transdniester: Long-Term Separatism

    On Thursday, the leader of the separatist regime in Transdniester, Yevgeny Shevchuk, signed a decree saying the region should join Russia, in line with the results of a referendum held on September 17, 2006. In 2006, over 98% of the residents of Transdniester voted to join the Russian Federation. Under Shevchuks decree, the legislation of Transdniester is to be adjusted to the Russian one. Through this move Shevchuk is trying to grant legal status to an anomaly that has started a quarter of a century ago.



    Transdniester split from Moldova in 1992, after an armed conflict that killed hundreds of people and ended with the intervention of the Russian troops on the side of the separatists. Having gained its independence from Moscow only months earlier, Moldova, back then a young republic, found itself in the situation of having to send police forces and volunteer brigades, armed with light weapons, to fight against the tanks of the former Red Army. Russia, though the voice of the then president Boris Yeltsin, committed itself ever since the 1999 OSCE summit in Istanbul to withdrawing its troops from Transdniester, but it has not kept its promise to this day.



    Under the protection of the Russian troops stationed there, the separatist regime has constantly consolidated its position, although the so-called republic is not internationally recognized. All subsequent attempts to resolve the frozen conflict have failed. Tiraspol continues to refer to Transdniester as an independent state, while Chisinau pleads for reunion and offers to give a special status to this region.



    A dinosaur reserve – this is how the international media defines this region, where the statues of Lenin and Communist symbols such as the sickle and hammer have been kept intact, notions like human rights are still unheard of, while trafficking in weapons, drugs and even human beings is the most profitable activity. Commentators in Chisinau, quoted by Radio Romania correspondents, say that Shevchuks recent move is simply populist. A so-called presidential election has been scheduled for December as the separatist leader is trying to win back the voters, after the ongoing economic crisis made him less popular.



    In Bucharest, President Klaus Iohannis defines Shevchuks decree as “provocative rhetoric, in the context of the so-called presidential elections in the region. Geopolitical experts have pointed out that the leader in Transdniester is Moscows puppet and have warned that the situation in that region has all the necessary ingredients for the Crimean scenario to be repeated. We remind you that Russia annexed Crimea two years ago, following the result of a so-called referendum that has not been recognized by the international community.


    (translated by: Elena Enache)