Russia and its peacekeepers are the main guarantors in maintaining peace in the Transnistrian region. Info-Prim Neo interview with Oleg Belyakov, co-chairman of JCC on behalf of Transnistria

{The Joint Control Commission (JCC), created in the aftermath of the military hostilities on the Nistru under a Moldo-Russian agreement on the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict, has been trying for 16 years to find consensus on key issues concerning the situation in the Security Zone. The JCC is composed of delegates from Moldova, the Transnistrian region and Russia. Ukraine and the OSCE attend the JCC's sittings as observers. How was the year 2008 for the JCC and what are the expectations for 2009? Oleg Belyakov, the head of Transnistria’s delegation in the Commission, will try to answer these questions in the following interview:} [ - How would you assess the JCC's work in 2008? What measures have been taken so that the situation in the Security Zone is kept under control and prevented from worsening?] - By the end of the sixteenth year of military operations, the peacekeepers have proved their efficiency in maintaining peace, security and public order. The JCC’s activity makes it possible to work steadily on both banks of the Nistru, and creates conditions for the citizens in the zone to lead a normal life. No civilian or military casualty has been registered during all these years. There were no conflict situations in the zone that couldn’t be contained. [ - In 2008 there was much talk about different incidents, as, for example, holding up Posta Moldovei's car with pensions for the people on the Nistru's left bank. NGOs signaled cases of people disappearing. Why does the situation in the Security Zone seem to remain tense?] - The story with Posta Moldovei is simple. As many as 84 accords were signed to regulate different areas, and the one signed in 1998 between Posta Moldovei and the Transnistrian Mail is one of them. As we know a fair amount of these documents are not observed. Article 5 of the Accord on the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict says that the movement of goods and people is regulated by the parties, not by the JCC. Solving the problem of Posta Moldovei's car entering the Transnistrian territory is not within the powers of the JCC. To overcome situations of this kind, I consider it necessary that the parliaments sign agreements on customs, taxes, etc. The JCC proposed Postei Moldovei to address the competent bodies to settle the issue. As for the statements about people disappearing, Transnistria has faced many provocations in the last 18 years. It's one of them. The JCC and the Transnistrian interior ministry have got no complaint of this kind. [ - Chisinau accuses the Russian delegation and the Transnistrian delegation in the JCC that they make common front in many cases. Do you think the format of the country representatives in the Commission is functional? ] - I believe it’s the JCC peacekeepers from Russia who are doing the greatest job. The people in the area can live in calm. The Russian peacekeepers report on the situation on a daily basis and present weekly reports for the sitting. Such accusations are a provocation. Russia and its peacekeeping forces are the main guarantors in maintaining peace in the Transnistrian region. If someone tries to modify the format of the negotiations, the consequences can be the gravest for the Transnistrian republic. [- Which of the problems tackled in 2008 could not be settled and remain a priority for 2009?] - At the end of 2008, a group of experts was formed to overcome the conflict situation in Dorotcaia village. Another issue is about the police commissariats from Bender and the penitentiary under the Moldovan jurisdiction. We all know Bender is a town of Transnistria. The Moldovan party explains the presence of these entities on the territory of the town by citing the 1992 accord which provides that public order in Bender is maintained by the joint effort of the militsia and police. The Transnistrian party proposes the police to move to Varnita village. This is going to increase confidence between the parties. In general, the situation in the Security Zone can be described as very stable.