Grigori Volovoi: The “Center for Defending Human Rights in Transnistria” Fund considers Transnistria conflict can be solved by compromise. Info-Prim Neo survey

Info-Prim Neo News Agency has launched an opinion poll on the settlement of the Transnistrian conflict among leaders of political parties, representatives of the civil society, and opinion shapers from both banks of the Nistru. The survey is aimed at finding out viewpoints that could contribute to the improvement of the present situation. All the participants were asked the same two questions. This time, the answers are given by Grigori Volovoi, president of the “Center for Defending Human Rights in Transnistria” Fund. [ - How can the Transnistrian dispute be solved in your opinion? In what way, through what mechanisms and during what terms is a settlement possible?] - The “Center for Defending Human Rights in Transnistria” Fund considers that the Transnistrian dispute can be solved by a compromise: Chisinau gives up the idea of a unitary state, while Tiraspol renounces the idea of obtaining independence. Most probably, Transnistria will receive the status of an autonomous unit of Moldova and broad possibilities of developing the foreign, social, cultural and other relations. There should be a continuous dialogue and the working groups should make effort to eliminate the divergences in the areas of major importance. The guarantor countries and observers should continuously demand that the conflicting parties take efficient measures. First of all, Russia should put up initiatives because the conflict practically cannot be solved without Russia’s involvement. If the dispute is not settled by 2009 inclusively, a solution would not be identified for long time on. Though, taking into account the experience of the Kozak Memorandum, we can say that if Russia is determined to solve the problem as soon as possible, the conflict could be solved within several days. [ - How do you think, how efficient and relevant to the created situation are the steps taken by the administration of Moldova at present? When do you think the effort made by the authorities will begin to produce results and what results we can expect?] - Chisinau should divide its steps into several stages. Firstly, it should implement all the existent agreements. Secondly, a final resolution document that would stipulate the status of the region should be offered to Transnistria and all the sides involved for examination. But if Russia is unwilling to act, all the attempts to solve the conflict, even the most successful ones, would fail.