Kai F. Brand-Jacobsen: "Consider the conflict an opportunity, not a threat"

Kai F. Brand-Jacobsen, director of the Romanian Peace Institute (PATRIR)

CLUJ-NAPOCA (Tiraspol Times) - A leading international conflict resolution specialist sees a silver lining on the cloud which after nearly 18 years of conflict is still hanging over the Dniester.

Kai F. Brand-Jacobsen, a Norwegian citizen, is director of the Romanian Peace Institute (PATRIR) and Co-Director of the international peace and development network TRANSCEND.

He sees the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic nature of Transdniestria and Moldova as strengths which can be used in conflict resolution, rather than as reasons for conflict.

Mr. Brand-Jacobsen has been working directly with Moldova since 2005 and presented some of his views on possible conflict resolution options for Moldova-Transdniestria after workshops with civil society, expert political analysts, mass media and youth, which took place in Chisinau, Tiraspol, Vadul lui Voda and Balti were jointly facilitated by the staff of the Cooperative Peace Project.

Mr. Brand-Jacobsen made several comments to clarify the topics which were discussed at these workshops.

How do you see the conflict between Moldova and Transdniestria?

" - This spring I arrived in Moldova once again after significant periods of time spent supporting political conflict resolution processes in Sri Lanka and Mexico. One of the interesting aspects of conflict resolution work in Moldova-Transdniestria, is that groups within the conflicting sides often disagree on their analysis of the conflict itself.

Some people with whom we have spoken are convinced that a key role is played by Tiraspol's ties with the Slavic world, and Russia in particular – cultural, language, historical and economic ties.

Others are of the view that the Romanian-speaking population on both banks looks to the West for similar language, cultural and historic reasons.

In fact both these views can be considered legitimate.

What is interesting is that few people recognise that these two “geopolitical and cultural vectors” present in Moldova-Transdniestria are in fact a great local strength, and does not necessarily need to be a source for contradictions.

The two banks of the Dniester river have historically laid on a line of geopolitical tension. But in today's Europe, every nation and group of people should have as its aim the strengthening of constructive and balanced ties between East and West, between EU and Russia, Ukraine and other post-Soviet states and people."

And the best way to approach conflict resolution in this part of Europe?

" - The conflict in Moldova-Transdniestria should now be seen as an opportunity, and not as a threat.

It is an opportunity to create peaceful and sustainable bridges of cultural sharing, of bilingualism by choice, and of a society unencumbered by military fear and war thinking. People in Moldova-Transdniestria have a unique skill-base – many are able to speak both Slavic and Romance languages.

Sadly, this has mainly been benefiting the workforce of migrants which have been leaving the region in recent years.

But in fact this is just one example of an opportunity to create an economic and linguistic bridge between two vast geopolitical and cultural spaces – a ready-made workforce for joint venture enterprises between Russia, Ukraine and EU - right here in Moldova-Transdniestria."

Do you prefer locally created conflict resolution, or "solutions" imposed by outsiders?

" - An opportunity exists here to create a precedent, an example for the rest of the European and world-wide frozen conflicts, on how locally created conflict resolution plans can be much more effective than those imposed by external actors."

Any good ideas for bringing the two sides closer?

" - The participants of one of our project's workshops held in March - the Cooperative Peace Project - proposed that Moldova-Transdniestria make it a goal for the region to become a 'polygon of economic cooperation between EU and Russia, Ukraine'.

They specifically proposed the creation of a 'joint economic development zone and free trade zone for a Black Sea Region covering southern parts of Ukraine, all of Moldova-Transdniestria and eastern parts of Romania, with special preferences for EU, Russian and Ukrainian joint investments'.

This is exactly the kind of creative and constructive thinking, more of which is needed in Moldova-Transdniestria."

Can you comment on rumors that a settlement deal is in the works with Moldova?

" - The possible signing of a politically negotiated agreement would be a positive step for conflict resolution, but is in fact only the beginning of a real peace process.

Much difficult and creative peacebuilding work will be necessary in Moldova-Transdniestria in the coming years, if the people and society here are to resolve the many issues which have built up painfully and have remained unresolved over 18 years of conflict."

See also:
» Nonviolent Peaceforce proposed for Pridnestrovie / Moldova conflict
» The How-To for peace and prosperity on the Dniester