Moldavian – Transdniestrian conflict

USSR's disintegration placed the capital of the former soviet empire in a defensive position towards its borders. One by one, the former soviet republics proclaimed their independence; the respective territories and the eventual strategic benefits that they provided to Moscow passed in the jurisdiction of the capitals of new independents states. Moscow intended to maintain or even to rebuild its influence in those areas, by different means, some of them at the limit of international legislation and practice, but most of them - beyond this limit. One of the procedures was usage of complicated structure of the former URSS administrative autonomies for the purpose of generating separatist conflicts. In order to cool down these conflicts, the red army was supposed to intervene, establishing thus the islands of Russian influence in the territories, not only from the military point of view but politically and economically, as well. Transdniestria together with Abhazia, South Osetia and Nagorno-Karabah is a part of the same neo-imperial or post-imperial logic of Moscow for controlling the islands of Russian influence in the neighboring territories.

Therefore, we can say that all these “frozen crisis” are just the pieces of the unique and coherent problem. Such problem needs and expects a unique and coherent decision.

The Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, which was set up by a decision of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on 2 August 1940, was formed from a part of Bessarabia taken from Romania on 28 June 1940 following the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact between the USSR and Germany, where the majority of the population were Romanian speakers, and a strip of land on the left bank of the Dniester in Ukraine (USSR), Transdniestria, which was transferred to it in 1940 and is inhabited by a population whose linguistic composition in 1989, according to publicly available information, was 40% Moldavian, 28% Ukrainian, 24% Russian and 8% others.

From the first intentions of Chisinau to proclaim its sovereignty (1990) and afterwards its independency, the local authorities, together with the leaders of the 14-th soviet army  (dislocates in the area with the biggest warehouse of soviet army in Europe, at Tiraspol) declared in return the autonomy in front of Chisinau and placed themselves under the military and political protection of Russia.  On 2nd of September 1990, the “Soviet Socialist Moldavian Transdniestrian Republic” was proclaimed, and on 25th of August 1991 this entity proclaimed its independency, which was never recognized by the international community. The event happened just two days before Chisinau proclaimed the independence of Republic of Moldova, which included Transdniestria as well.

The crisis that followed after was typical for what is being called  a “frozen conflict” – military actions –external intervention - armistice under the auspicious of peace forces (Russian) – mini-crisis that are being periodically provoked between the two communities.

From the beginning of the conflict and till now a lot of proposals and resolutions have been adopted, but neither of them had the desired effect – Russian army had not retreated from Transdniestria.

At OSCE summit held in Istanbul (1999) the decision of retreating the Russian troupes, arms and munitions from Transdniestria till the end of 2002 was adopted. 

On 16th of July 1999, Republic of Moldova and Transdniestria signed at Kiev, in the presence of OSCE representative a Common Declaration for the purpose of normalizing bilateral relations. It stipulated the development of the future relations based on principle of the common border and of the common economic, social, legal and defense policies. In 2001, the Austrian presidency of OSCE pointed the attention on the fact that Russia takes no measures in order to respect its obligations adopted at Istanbul.

The Parliamentary Council of OSCE adopted several resolutions regarding Transdniestria during the annual sessions held in Bucharest (July 2000), Paris (July 2001), Berlin (July 2002), Rotterdam (July 2003).

The implication of OSCE in solving the conflict had no results, because it is an institution functioning under the rule of consensus (Russian Federation has the right of veto) and has no the mechanisms determining the application of an adopted decision (see the application of Istanbul decision for demilitarizing of Transdniestria, which has remained just at the stage of engagement).  

Resolution

• Considering that the presence of the Russian troupes in Transdniestria represents a threat to Republic of Moldova sovereignty and to peace in Europe,

• Being aware of the level of military forces and munitions under expanding, capable to affect the environment due to its destructive force,

• Wishing all the nations being able to enjoy the recognition of their sovereignty, independency and the right to live in peace and safety,

• Keeping in mind the respecting of human rights, peace and friendship between nations,     

The European Green Party, met for the 4thCouncil Meeting at Helsinki, 5th-7th of May, 2006 demands:

1)    The immediate retreating of the Russian troupes and military technique from Transdniestria,

2)    Application of the 3D strategy “demilitarization, democratization, decriminalization” with the participation of UN observers,

3)    Development of a plan for solving the Transdniestrian problem, pointing that it can not be solved inside of the former USSR, but only with the support of international organisms, such us OSCE, UN, EU, NATO,

4)    Any plan regarding the proposal to solve Transdniestrian problem should be made with the participation of the neighboring countries and the parties involved in the conflict.