AP: Russian troops to stay in Moldova breakaway region
By Corneliu Rusnac, AP
The leader of a separatist region in Moldova said Moscow has given him assurances that Russian troops will stay in the region until a final solution is reached in an 20-year-old dispute in the former Soviet republic.
Trans-Dniester leader Igor Smirnov said Wednesday Russia gave "firm assurances" on the troops during his recent visit to Moscow.
He claimed the 500 Russian troops provide security against "provocations" from Moldovan authorities.
The tiny sliver of territory in eastern Moldova's broke away in 1990 and a war between Moldovan forces and separatists in 1992 left 1,500 people dead.
In 1999, Russia promised to withdraw its troops at a summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
The status of those troops and their role in the 1,500-man peacekeeping force there has figured into negotiations with NATO about a major treaty that governs the movement and basing of military forces around Europe.
The dispute over Trans-Dniester and Russia's role there mirrors other so-called "frozen conflicts" in the former Soviet Union, such as Abkhazia, South Ossetia or Nagorno-Karabakh.
From Moldova's 4.1 million people, over 500,000 live in the Trans-Dniester region.
Last year, Russian and Moldovan officials tried to move closer to resolving the dispute, agreeing to revamp a Russian-led peacekeeping force into an OSCE mission but only once the territory's final status is resolved.
-
Related News
- Moldova wants to gain NATO’s support
- Moldova, closer to have a visa-free travel regime with EU
- Moldova’s Liberal Party has three nominations for presidency
- Pro-Putin demonstration in Tiraspol
- Never on trial, but already justified
- STRATFOR: “Moldova's small size and strategic location is a main factor in the weakness of the state and its ability to balance between external powers”
- Transnistrian conflict discussed in Bucharest
- Leader of Transnistria changed his mind
- Moldova and the United States assess their 20 years of diplomatic relations
- Dirk Schuebel: “Visa liberalisation does neither concern long term stays nor employment”
- 10 most important world events of 2005
- The rise and fall of Saddam Hussein
- Iraq: Saddam Hussein and another ex-senior officials sentenced to death by hanging
- Analysis: Black Sea Rivalry
- Report: Saddam Hussein has been executed
- On 31 August Moldova celebrates the Language Day
- Sexual humiliation and torture of female protesters reported
- Saddam Hussein handed over to Iraqi authorities, say lawyers
- Saddam Hussein's execution could be within next 48-36 hours
- Deadly blast at checkpoint near Peshawar