OSCE can not force Russia to withdraw its munitions from Transnistria

The organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) can not oblige the Russian Federation to withdraw its munitions from the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. Only several organizations in the world have the power to force some states to discharge their duties, but this is not the case of OSCE, the head of OSCE Mission in Moldova, William Hill declared on Monday, July 10 at a press conference. Hill made these declarations in the context of adopting a resolution by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, held on July 3-7 at Brussels. It requests Russia to discharge its duty taken in 1999 in Istanbul to withdraw its troops and munitions from the Republic of Moldova. “It is clear, the ambassador said, that this issue will be solved only when Russia will withdraw its munitions. There are sufficient legal and physical resources to make Russia fulfill its engagements”, said Hill. Also the official reminded about the declarations made in Brussels by Russian MPs, according to which Moscow will honor its obligations only at the moment when there will exist conditions appropriate for Russia. “It seems they gave the Assembly to understand that these actions will be undertaken only when there will be noted positive evolutions in the process of negotiations”, considers Hill. The content of the resolution, though, shows that the majority of OSCE MPs did not agree with this argument, the diplomat emphasized. Referring to resuming Talks in “5+2” format, Hill declared that the dialogue between participants is in some cases, rather tough and direct, but at present it is hard to say which will be the final results. “The Transnistrian dispute can be solved”, Hill states, justifying by the fact that between the persons living on the both sides of Nistru river are in good relations, but the interest of leading political circles “who are not always helping to settling the conflict” are disturbing these. According to the Resolution, OSCE PA considers that the project on offering a special statute to Transnistria in the composition of Moldova, which would ensure sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Moldova, is the main goal of the negotiations. The Parliamentary Assembly solicits to the Government of Moldova and administration from Tiraspol, with the support of negotiators and observers, to actively search for ways of settling the dispute, at the same time respecting further the international principles and standards, including the fundamental human rights and freedoms. The Transnistrian authorities are urged to stop all the restrictions on the civil society and to promote democratic reforms. As well, PA takes note of the decision of the European Court for Human Rights on Ilascu case soliciting to undertake all the necessary actions in order to immediately set free those 2 political prisons of the regime from Tiraspol etc. The 15th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly was held on July 3-7, 2006 in Brussels.