OSCE will not recognize Transnistrian independence referendum – Karel de Gucht

The OSCE will not recognize the referendum on independence called for 17 September by the Supreme Soviet of the Transnistrian region of Moldova, the Organization's Chairman-in-Office, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel De Gucht, said today. According to a press release of the OSCE Mission in Moldova, Karel de Gucht declared that this organization will not support and has no plans to observe a unilateral referendum which calls into question the territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. On the other hand a referendum on Transnistria’s future status, on the other hand, is a possible option, but that could only be after a political solution has been agreed at the negotiating table and only provided the necessary conditions for a free and fair vote are in place. As well, according to Gucht the suggestive character of these questions and the lack of basic requirements for free and fair elections, such as freedom of the media, freedom of assembly and political pluralism, in the region pre-determine the results of such an exercise. Also Gucht declared that this referendum will further complicate the situation in the region and he calls on the Transnistrian authorities to give up the idea and re-join the negotiation process. Recently the OSCE Permanent Council condemned the intention of the separatist regime from Tiraspol to organize the so-called independence referendum. Transnistrian authorities announced that the referendum will be organized on September 17. Voters will be asked whether they support the course of independence for the "Transnistrian Moldavian Republic" and the subsequent free joining of Transnistrian to the Russian Federation, and consider rejecting the independence of the “Transnistrian Moldavian Republic" and subsequently becoming part of the Republic of Moldova. The President Vladimir Voronin as well a series of international organizations declared that the Transnistrian referendum will not be considered legal, because it will be organized by a clandestine regime in a zone with foreign military presence and lacking conditions for a democratic elections.