Head of OSCE Mission to Moldova calls on Transnistrian authorities to cut military capacity

The new Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador Louis O'Neill, called on the Transnistrian authorities to follow the latest Moldovan example and to cut its military capacity. The ambassador made this declaration on Tuesday, July 25 at Bulboaca, the Instruction Centre of the Moldovan Armed Forces near Chisinau, after witnessing the destruction of their last Uragan 220 millimeter rockets. According to the OSCE Mission, O’Neil declared that these actions are a compelling signal of confidence-building on behalf of the Moldovan Government. The official said that this is a clear message sent to the Transnistrian authorities that there is no aggressive intent on the part of Chisinau. The Head of the OSCE Mission called on the Transnistrian authorities to likewise cut their military capability. There is no need and no place for heavy and offensive military equipment in this region", Ambassador O'Neill added. The Ambassador recalled that a year ago, his predecessor had presented both the Government of Moldova and the Transnistrian authorities with a package of Arms Control and Confidence- and Security-Building Measures (CSBMs). “Though discussions followed with the Moldovan side on the package, no response came from the Transnistrian authorities and the issue has reached an impasse in recent months”, O’Neil declared. In this context, the official called on all those involved, first of all on the Transnistrian authorities, to accept the destruction of the Uragan rockets at Bulboaca as a starting point for constructive talks on the CSBMs package and to take concrete steps towards arms control and disarmament.