Supporting independence, Cheney says U.S. wants a two-state solution

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney sees independent sovereignty and two separate states as the best option for conflict resolution

RAMALLAH (Tiraspol Times) - Committed to resolving a long-standing territorial conflict, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney recommends a two-state solution for two sides that have fought against each other in the past and today prefer not to live together inside a single, common state.

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney reaffirmed the United States' commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state Sunday when he met with Palestinian government officials in Ramallah. This was part of a weekend which American officials spent trying to further the peace process in the region.

Supporting independence as a valid conflict resolution tool, he noted that the establishment of one more separate country in the world was "long overdue." In the eyes of Washington, separate statehood will be the key to final, lasting peace and a permanent status for the troubled region.

After meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Cheney said a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians will require "painful concessions" and co-operation to prevail over those "committed to violence and who refuse to accept the basic right of the other side to exist."

Observers comparing Cheney's remarks to the Moldova/Transdniestria status talks saw immediate parallels with Moldova, whose political leadership refuses to accept the right of a 'de jure' Transdniestrian state to exist. The talks, which have made little progress for most of the past 18 years of Transdniestria's existence, are currently stalled due to Moldova's opposition against its smaller neighbor's independence.

" - If the United States is consistent in its foreign policy, it will sooner or later realize that it has to support the same kind of two state solution for Pridnestrovie, too," says Petru Gladchi, a civil society activist and human rights defender from Tiraspol, the capital of the unrecognized country. "It is the only realistic outcome for peace and stability, because at this point in time it is clear to everyone - even to the regime in Moldova - that Pridnestrovie will never again accept to be ruled by Moldova."

U.S. keen to help establish new, independent state

During his Mid-East visit, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney said that the creation of an independent Palestinian state is "long overdue." He added that the US is keen to help the Palestinians to achieve that goal.

Peace with Israel and the establishment of their own Republic of Palestine are among "the legitimate hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people," in the words of Dick Cheney. He also noted that an end to the conflict between the two sides would have "limitless value."

" - We look forward to the day that an independent, viable, democratic and peaceful Palestinian state comes into being," Mr Cheney said. "The establishment of the state of Palestine is long overdue."

In Israel the day before, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney said that Washington hoped to see a "new beginning" for the Palestinian people in their own state.

" - We want to see a resolution to the conflict, an end to the terrorism that has caused so much grief to Israelis, and a new beginning for the Palestinian people," he said. Cheney is just one part of increasing U.S. pressure for a peace deal. Next week, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is also due for a visit. This is expected to be followed by yet another visit by American President George W. Bush in the near future.

" - No one," Dick Cheney said, "deserves to go through live in a climate of fear of deprivation."

Cheney said "the future belongs to the advocates of peace and reconciliation." He cited Bush as saying that "the establishment of the state of Palestinian is long overdue." The Bush administration, Cheney said, will commit resources to help the Palestinians build the infrastructure necessary to prosper.

Palestine, Kosovo and Transdniestria

The Palestinian National Authority, which strives for an independent homeland for the Palestinian people, is internationally and diplomatically recognized by 108 sovereign states. Echoing similar statements from Transdniestria, the Palestinian government has said that it has better grounds for independence than Kosovo.

" - Kosovo is not better than us. We deserve independence even before Kosovo, and we ask for the backing of the United States and the European Union for our independence," said Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior Palestinian government official in the wake of Kosovo's 17 February 2008 declaration of independence. He added that his government would be following Kosovo's lead and unilaterally declare independence if talks with Israel failed: "If things are not going in the direction of continuous and serious negotiations, then we should take the step and announce our independence unilaterally."

Whereas Transdniestria already has its own 'de facto' independence, with effective rule over its own territory, Palestine is currently subject to Israeli sovereignty and does not yet have practical independence. Transdniestria also has its own police and army as well as a Central Bank which issues its own currency, the PMR Ruble.

The country is the subject of a long-running political and territorial dispute between the Moldovan government and Transdniestria's largely Russian-speaking population. Although Moldova's claim to Transdniestria is still supported by leaders of the international community, a clear majority of the local population in the disputed area support Transdniestria's independence.

See also:
» Moldovan-born politician on conflict settlement: "Separating the two sides is best solution"
» Conflict can be resolved by the creation of a separate state: Condoleezza Rice

Opinion and commentary:
» Transnistria will always be Transnistria