Delegations to the Joint Control Commission (JCC) managed to overcome the obstacle in the negotiations related to the withdrawal of the military checkpoints from the Security Zone at the ordinary sitting on April, 3, 2008.

JCC Co-president for the part of Moldova Ion Solonenco stated that the Transnistrian party accepted Chisinau’s proposal to examine the draft at a forth coming sitting, following some tensed debates. „It is obvious for us that currently the Transnistrian delegation is not ready to negotiate the withdrawal of the checkpoints, because they are waiting for a political decision on the Transnistria’s status." Solonenco stated.

According to him, "coming from the fact that they are unwilling to broach the subject due to the reason mentioned above, we have suggested a work group be formed which would study in details the removal of all unsanctioned checkpoints. Therefore, this means that the withdrawal of checkpoints is still on the JCC’s agenda and that there are chances for it to be examined.” Solonenco emphasised. "At the same time, the issue of removing the military checkpoints", specified the quoted source, "will inevitably be touched upon also when the political negotiations in the "5+2" format are resumed, taking into account that it is connected with the disregard of human rights in the Security Zone."

The resumption of the negotiations allowed the JCC members to examine some other issues on the agenda of the sitting. And namely, the participants discussed the report of the Joint Military Commandment on the situation in the Security Zone. Superior Military Commander for the part of Moldova, Colonel Victor Macrinschi informed that Transnistrian military forces in the Security Zone developed military applications without announcing the JCC. „Our report includes all the infringements detected in the Security Zone, and the actions of the Transnistrian military forces represent a flagrant violation of the stipulations of the agreements.”, Macrinschi said.

The participants in the sitting discussed also the appointment of a Transnistrian representative as a JCC member. The Moldovan delegation voted on the put forward candidacy, but rejected the candidacy of Colonel Valentin Izotov, who is currently the superior military commander for the part of Transnistria, for an office of the JCC member. „The role of the military commanders is to ensure the activity of the peace-keepers in the Security Zone. They are directly responsive to the JCC and thus, can not be members of the JCC as long as they hold an office which can generate conflicts of interests.” Solonenco mentioned.

The rotation of the military observers started in the Security Zone. A group formed of four Ukrainian officers who are to carry out their mandate in the Security Zone as military observers for a year, was unanimously approved at the JCC sitting.

Solonenco reiterated Chisinau’s position to solve the problems in the Security Zone, which is willing to have a constructive dialog with the parties involved in the negotiations.  // BASA-Press



Publication date: 05 April 2008   

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