The cease-fire agreement with Russia meant Chisinau’s capitulation in front of separatists. IPN interview

[Interview with Roman Mihaes, chairman of the “European United Moldova" Association, master in political sciences] [- 14 years have passed since July 21, 1992, when the agreement of peaceful regulations of the Nistru`s zone conflict. Do you think that it was the best solutions? Was there any room for other possibilities?] The main reason for agreeing to the pact was the urgent necessity to halt human loss. Let us remember the harsh declarations made by the Russian president, Boris Eltin, and the General Alexandr Lebed addressed to Chisinau. In fact, signing the pact meant a shameful capitulation in front of separatists, who had declared and do the same now, that they are the winners. Certainly, an unlawful war has to be stopped, but not by capitulating. Unfortunately the presidents of that time did not apply for ONU`s help, to obtain a resolution of Security Organization, hoping by naivety, or other reasons, that the Russian Federation would help to solve the conflict. After signing the Agreement, Mircea Snegur, the president has reported to ONU General Secretary that he and his Russian counterpart signed an agreement to cease fire, which basically meant that he wholly relied on RF to solve the conflict. This way he refused International Community help. Today, when the separatist regime is strongly consolidated, the huge error can be seen very well. [- What was the real meaning of the Convention?] The fact that both sides RM and RF signed the Convention is a proof of Russia’s implication in the conflict. For the moment RM is ready to negotiate in the so-called 5+2 format, under the auspices of OSCE, where Transnistria is part of negotiations and Russia is a mediator. The conflict’s solution is in its final stages. Under these circumstances, more and more experts warn that Transnistria is consolidating its position. The only possible action left to RM is to apply to the UN General Assembly, tu United Nations Security Council and to the International Court of Justice. In that case RM could invoke ECHR decisions as probes, as well as the reports prepared by American lawyers and other proofs. [- Is the Convention still valid? What can be done?] Unfortunately, the Convention is valid for an unlimited period of time, without the provision to disarm military separatist formations; a valid proof of the “good” intentions on behalf of RM. Another major failure is the presence of a large security zone on the RM territory and Tighina’s control by separatists. The Convention ceases to exist “through mutual agreement of the parties, and where one party is to leave the Agreement, the operation of Unification and Control Commission as well as military contingent stops. It is very important to remember that through the Parliament’s appeal regarding the terms and conditions of demilitarization of the Transnistrian zone, adopted in May 2005, RF and RM recognized that “dislocation of military units according to the Moldovan - Russian agreement of July 25, 2005, in the security RM zone has obtained its goals, and were due to be gradually reduced to nil till Dec, 31 2006. At the same time, in the mentioned period as a result of RM appeal to OSCE, the peaceful operations have to be brought to their final stage and the Moldovan-Russian agreement from July 22, 1992 becomes void. The International Mission, Civil and Military Observers, on behalf of OSCE will continue its operations in RM until a total political regulation of the Transnistrian conflict is reached. In conclusion, as a result of Parliament’s declaration, the president and the Government have to proceed with negotiations with RF in order to reach a new agreement. The announced goal of RM is to obtain a new mechanism of Civil and Military Observers which will act on behalf of OSCE and UN. If negotiations with RF fail, then the only chance to save the national integrity of the state is to appeal to the UN General Assembly, to UN Security Council, and ICJ. [IPN Note: The Convention regarding the peaceful regulation of armed conflict in the Transnistrian zone of RM was signed in Moscow July 22, 1992, By the presidents Mircea Snegur and Boris Eltin]