 | WHAT ON EARTH IS THIS? Pridnestrovie claims it is a state. But opponents of independence say it isn't. We report, you decide. [more] |  | | |  | FACT AND FICTION blend in how the world sees Pridnestrovie, also known as Transnistria. In this guide, get just the facts and none of the fiction... [more] |
| ||||||
Deal between Moldova and Transdniestria required before Russian pullout
As long as Moldova maintains its conflict with Transdniestria, it will not be possible for Russia to pull out of the region. So says Russia's deputy defense minister Vladimir Isakov. But after a deal is reached between the two sides, remaining military equipment and ammunition can be removed in just six months.
Gen. Vladimir Isakov, Russia's deputy defense minister, says Russia can remove old ammunition from Transdniestria in six monthsMOSCOW (Tiraspol Times) - Russia's Defense Ministry said on Thursday it could withdraw the remaining military equipment and ammunition from its Soviet-era depots in Transdniestria in six months if Moldova and Transdniestria reach a permanent settlement on the area's future status.
" - Until Moldova and Transdnestr have reached an agreement on this issue, we cannot pull anything out," said Russia's deputy defense minister Vladimir Isakov, news agency RIA Novosti reported.
About 500 Russian servicemen currently guard almost 20,000 tons of ammunition which still remain in Transdniestria after Russia's 14th Army left the country in the 1990s.
Meanwhile, the country's top military chief repeated on Thursday that Russia has no obligation to abide by the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty once the senate passes a moratorium. Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky, in an interview with the Czech military journal ATM, said that on 12 December 2007, when the moratorium takes effect, Russia "will not consider ourselves bound by quantitative limitations on conventional weapons," he said.
- Lack of ratification from any NATO countries
NATO countries have insisted on Russia's withdrawal of its peacekeepers from Transdniestria and other breakaway post-Soviet regions as a condition for their ratification of the CFE Treaty. The amended version of the Soviet-era treaty was signed in 1999, and has not been ratified by any NATO countries. Russia, on the other hand, has ratified the treaty and adhered to its provisions even though no NATO country has yet done so.
Yuri Baluyevsky said that Russia has fulfilled most of its obligations under the treaty, UPI informed. Its remaining troops in Georgia are expected to be withdrawn soon, and there will be no changes in the small contingent of Russian peacekeepers who are stationed in Transdniestria.
He said that withdrawal from Transdniestria depends on the Moldovan government reaching a settlement with the 'de facto' independent country.
Moldovan troops attempted to invade Transdniestria in 1992, causing losses of over one thousand lives until a ceasefire was negotiated. Until a permanent settlement is reached in the dispute, there is a risk of an outbreak of renewed hostilities, which is why the presence of Russian peacekeepers is still required. (With information from UPI, RIA Novosti)
See also:
» Russia says "Istanbul Commitments" complied for Transdniestria, Abkhazia
» Kolbasna at a cross-roads
» Washington calls 5,500 U.S. troops "hardly any" but 1,200 Russians in PMR must go
| more about peacekeeping | |||||
| |||||
Ukraine will be part of NATO, says the military alliance's top official while at the same time also giving a "discreet nod" to Moldova. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer announced that immediate talks will be launched to eliminate problems that could hinder the implementation of the plan. Polls show that a majority of Ukrainians want their country to stay neutral and not join NATO. . . 
