JCC marks 16 years since launching peace-keeping operations in Transnistria

The Joint Control Commission (JCC) marks 16 years since launching the joint peace-keeping operations in Moldova's Transnistrian area. The festivities take place on Saturday at the quarters of the Russian battalion deployed in Bender, Info-Prim Neo reports. At a news conference on this occasion, the superior chief of the Peace-Keeping Commandment on behalf of Moldova, colonel Aurel Fondos, is quoted by the press service of the Defense Ministry as saying: “although, while unfolding the peace-keeping operations, there emerged problems – deploying posts within the Security Zone, military units unchecked by military observers – the situation may be qualified as stable, while the goal of the operations continues to be keeping the peace within Moldova's Transnistrian area.” The JCC Moldovan co-chairman, Ion Solonenco, has pointed out the lack of conflict situations among peace-keepers, “what is gladdening.” Yet, Solonenco has remarked the appearance of some problems in unfolding the joint peace-keeping operation in the work of the JCC, too. “They are determined by politicizing some issues, what conduces to the diminution of the efficiency of the peace-keeping mechanism.” The Commandment's superior military commander on behalf of Transnistria, Anatoly Zverev, is quoted by the Transnistrian agency “Olvia-press” as saying that the phrase, become a standard in the JCC's reports, “the atmosphere in the security zone is under control,” may be considered the main achievement and appreciation of the work of the peace-keepers. The Russian JCC co-chairman, Victor Shanin, has called the operation “brilliant.” “No person has died here, no shooting has been heard, the peace has been kept for many years – and this is the main conclusion as to the JCC's and to the peace-keepers' work,” he said. The military conflict on the Nistru started on March 2, 1992. The cease-fire accord was signed on July 21 1992. According to official statistics, 287 people died, 40 were reported as missing and other 3,500 were injured following the clashes.