The peacekeeping operation in Moldova’s Transnistrian region cannot attain the goals set down in the agreements of 1992 and 1998 and cannot ensure the observance of human rights. This has been used as a shield for strengthening the separatist regime in Tiraspol, PPPDA MP Kiril Moțpan stated, noting the given operation should be transformed into an internationally mandated multinational civil one, IPN reports.
According to the MP, the peacekeeping operation cannot achieve one of its main goals, which is the demilitarization of the Security Zone, as the documents that regulate such operations stipulate. For results to be achieved, the practically unlimited influence of Russia, which is a mediator, guarantor and interested party as the most important supporter of the Transnistrian regime, should be balanced out.
Kiril Moțpan noted that the peacekeeping mission during 28 years turned into a factor for conserving the situation, for encouraging the obstructionist tendencies of the Transnistrian leaders. In 28 years of those tragic events, worrisome tendencies started to be witnessed. There is excessive and inexplicable militarization for a frozen conflict and the situation can become uncontrollable at any moment.
In the period, Russian and Transnistrian sides’ efforts turned into actions to strengthen the military potential of the Russian and Transnistrian peacekeeping units, to organize military drills, but this flagrantly runs counter to the agreement of 1992. Under this agreement, the sides were to withdraw all the military and paramilitary units and armament. The constitutional authorities fulfilled their obligations, while the Transnistrian region did not. A number of tense situations were witnessed in time in the Security Zone. Some 80% of the region’s military potential is now concentrated there.
“It is known that the Russian side unconditionally supports Tiraspol and cooperates with the anti-constitutional regime in order to strengthen the military potential of the so-called peacekeeping forces of Russia and the Transnistrian region, organizes military exercises for the Operational Group of Russian Forces without asking for the consent of the Moldovan side, which makes the work of the Joint Control Commission practically inefficient,” stated the MP.
On the pretext of the pandemic, checkpoints were set up in the Security Zone. The number of these checkpoints now stands at 22. Some of these are situated in places where joint peacekeeping posts existed earlier. The inaction of the Moldovan side amplified the whims of the separatist bodies.
Kiril Moțpan said that since 1992, the Transnistrian administration has intensely militarized the Security Zone and managed to keep the Russian military presence, to finish building the bodies of power and to become a party to the negotiation process that made no concessions.
