OSCE Says Transdniester Talks Delayed
March 30, 2006 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said an upcoming round of talks between Moldova and its separatist Transdniester region has been postponed.
Tensions flared this month when Moldova and neighboring Ukraine introduced tougher customs controls. Officials in Transdniester denounced the move as an economic blockade.
William Hill, the OSCE representative in Moldova, said today that because of the situation, it has "become absolutely clear" that the next round of talks would not take place. He said the talks were not blocked, only delayed.
Russian-backed Transdniester broke away in 1990, leading to a brief war in 1992. Attempts to broker a peace settlement have failed.
(Reuters, AP, Flux)
Stela Jantuan, head of the Information, Analysis, and Prognosis Service of the Moldovan parliament (RFE/RL)
FROZEN CONFLICT: On January 11, 2006, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a panel discussion on prospects for settling the Transdniester conflict. The roundtable featured STEFAN GLIGOR and STELA JANTUAN of the Information, Analysis, and Prognosis Service of the Moldovan parliament and ALEXANDRU FLENCHA, head of the information and analysis division of Moldova's Ministry of Reintegration.
LISTEN
Listen to the complete panel discussion (about 90 minutes):
Real Audio Windows Media
TALKS CONTINUE. The conflict between the Republic of Moldova and the unrecognized, separatist Transdniester Republic has festered for more than 15 years. A decade of talks supervised by the OSCE, Russia, and Ukraine have stagnated, while allegations mount concerning the involvement of Transdniester separatists in money-laundering and trafficking in arms, drugs, and human beings. What are the current prospects for settling this frozen conflict? (more)
ARCHIVE
An archive of RFE/RL's coverage of Transdniester.
