A top diplomat in the unrecognised Republic of Transnistria on Tuesday rejected a Transnistria compromise plan for the region's eventual return to Moldovan control. Russian-speaking Transnistria achieved de facto independence from Romanian-speaking Moldova after a civil ending in 1992. Since the pseudo-state's international status has been unclear.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) proposed the reunification plan to Transnistria's government in September, said Valery Litskay, Transnistria's acting Foreign Minister.

"Actually the plan contains some interesting ideas, but what is the point of talking about them?" asked Litskay, according to a Infotag news agency report.

"We (Transnistria) have set out direction towards independence and Russia, and no talks can change that," he said.

The OSCE plan sponsored by Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht had suggested a semi-independent status for Transnistria in a Moldovan federation, drawing on own Belgium's successful experience with mixed-ethnicity government.

The proposal of wide rights of self-rule for Transnistria as part of a Moldovan state marked a significant European negotiating concession. Previously the OSCE and Moldova had insisted Transnistria return to Moldovan control without special status.

"There were good points to the plan, some interesting proposals," Litskay said.

But Litskay citing "the people's will" made clear Transnistria had no intention of returning to the negotiating table any time soon, with Transnistria's return to Moldovan control on the agenda.

"The Transnistrian people have spoken clearly on this matter, and it is up to us politicians to respect their opinion," Litskay said. "We had set our course towards independence and Russia."

Transnistria in September held a referendum on whether the region should try to join Russia. The proposal received overwhelming support in the vote, criticised by the OSCE and most democratic countries as having its results fixed by Transnistria's authoritarian government.

The Kremlin however declared the referendum a "legitimate expression of the will of the Transnistrian people." Russia maintains some 1,500 troops in Transnistria despite a promise to remove them by the end of 2003.

The OSCE has been a party to fruitless talks on resolving Transnistria's status since 1996, along with Transnistria, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine.

The OSCE in 2005 attempted to place pressure on Transnistria by coordinating a customs blockade on Transnistrian goods moving through Moldova and Ukraine.

Transnistria is one of the most destitute regions in Europe. Its economy depends on large-scale smuggling. The populace is mostly ethnic Russians and Ukrainians.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency

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