The official Chisinau is in possession of documents indicating that weapons from Transnistria were supplied to Iraq, Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin stated to Russian journalists who are paying a 5-day-long working visit to this republic on the Moldovan leadership's invitation.

"We have sent to Russia a file with documents on the directions of arms exports from Transnistria. According to the data available with us, 13 Transnistrian industrial enterprises manufacture armaments continuously. We have a document from the Presidential Office of Saddam Hussein's certifying that weapons from Transnistria used to be imported to Iraq. Now we are scrutinizing this", Voronin said.

Asked why he refused to sign the Kozak Memorandum in November 2003, Voronin replied that on the evening preceding the signature day, the Memorandum unexpectedly came to have one new page: "This was a new document one page large containing one item saying that we sign the document stipulating that a Russian military base is being established [in Transnistria] for a 20-year term. We stated then that if that page is left in the Memorandum, the question of signing the document is cancelled".

The Moldovan President resolutely spoke for Russia's meeting its troop withdrawal commitments, and emphasized that Moldova regards the presence of the Russian armaments in Transnistria as Moscow's backing of the Tiraspol regime.

"The Transnistria problem remains unresolved between us. But it should not be an obstacle to relations between Moldova and Russia. Our centuries-long friendship with Russia is Moldova's chief heritage, and the Transnistrian regime mustn't hamper the relations between the two countries", stated the Moldovan leader.

In his words, Chisinau stands for resolving the Transnistria conflict by using exclusively peaceful means, and is not going to organize "velvet revolutions" in Transnistria. At the same time, Vladimir Voronin confirmed his refusal to conduct negotiations with Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov and his regime.

"Smirnov's team was not simply involved in gangsterism. They have their hands steeped in blood. Peaceful settlement work should be done only by people with clean hands", stated Voronin, adding that he had ceased all talks with Smirnov yet 3 years ago.

Vladimir Voronin stated Moldova has drawn up a list of people who were in opposition to the Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov and who are now missing.

In his words, Moldova, like the entire world community, shall not recognize the approaching December elections to the Transnistrian supreme soviet [parliament], but if a new leadership comes to power in Tiraspol, negotiations on settling the situation may be resumed. In Voronin's opinion, the most suitable personality for holding negotiations with Moldova may be Yevgeny Shevchook, the Transnistrian Deputy Speaker. // Infotag


Publication date: 31 October 2005   

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