“OLVIA-PRESS”

THE DMR PRESIDENT TELLS ABOUT RESULTS OF THE VISIT TO MOSCOW.

Last week, the working visit of delegation of the Dniester Moldavian Republic headed by the President Igor Smirnov finished its working visit. On arrival, the Head of state answered the questions of our correspondent.

- Talking about results of your negotiations in Moscow, can one mark any progress, any new details?

- yes, there is progress. Our whole visit was devoted to perfecting the mechanism of fulfilling of, on the one hand, Russia’s obligations taken by itself regarding withdrawal and conversion of surplus arms, on the other hand – reception of compensation by Dniestria and co-ordination of terms of further work. That’s why, for these days, we have discussed all moments far more thoroughly. There is a fixed schedule.

- Is there any fixed date of final resolution of that problem?

- No final date, and I think we should not do that. I will just remind you that Russia has totally fulfilled its duties taken before in Istanbul. When I say that Russia has fulfilled it means we have done the same. All heavy machinery and armored vehicles is withdrawn and converted, and as for all the rest, there are no concrete dates, and that’s why it is just a technical work, and nothing else.

- Were political aspects of settling relationship between Moldova and Dniestria discussed in Moscow?

- These questions were discussed within context of Russian interests as of the guarantor-country in urgent finding of the problem’s resolution. But taking opinions of each party into account.

- Is there considerable difference between Russia and Ukraine regarding these questions?

- Both Russia and Ukraine vote for continuation of the quanta-lateral format of the negotiation process with consideration of accomplishment of all agreements achieved before. That’s why I see no particular difference.

- Is the nearest summit of Moldova and Dniestria expected?

- Such a meeting is not expected yet since you know the negotiation process itself is not underway, there is consultation of experts within frames of the negotiation process, they work out certain issues. The summit will take place when Moldova legislatively confirms documents signed before (after all, Moldova is a parliamentary republic), signed by all its presidents – from the first till the third – the present one. When the document that will demand participation of the state’s highest authorities is developed.

- But why are negotiations not underway?

- Negotiations are not underway because the economic blockade committed by Moldova goes on, that is, documents signed before and obligations not to put any economic obstacle for work of economies in both Dniestria and Moldova have been violated. Moreover Moldova, having recently established custom control checkpoints already inside its own state, works with the DMR as with a foreign state. That is why, negotiations cannot be continued under such conditions.

- At the recent Kishinev summit of the CIS countries the issue of relationship between Moldova and Dniestria has not been included into agenda. What is it connected with, and is any international conference on that topic expected at nearest times?

- I can suppose whether it is expected or not. But that issue has not been in agenda because both the international community and guarantor-countries have made sure that Moldova is the one that had unilaterally interrupted the negotiation process. First of all, the question is blockade actions in economic, informational, banking, and other domains of activity of the DMR. What can we talk about? I think the recognized states felt awkward that is, one of the CIS members – Moldova – had violated obligations taken upon it. And as for further, I want to mark activity of Ukraine and Russia as guarantor-countries, and OSCE in organization of conferences of experts and working groups within frames of the negotiation process because negotiation are however needed to be continued and we should come to exact determination of the final settlement according to concept of the common state. How will events go on? We are always ready to work and fulfill duties taken on us.

- As far as yesterday, the famous American financier George Soros gave very critical appreciation of federalization of Moldova, creation of two republics. Do you think it corresponds to the US position anyway?

- The official US position, at least of the Department of State, concludes in non-creation of difficulties and threats on the foreign border. And they do not care what way the relationship between Moldova and the DMR will be settled. As for Mr. Soros, I think there is no goof for people where he appears. So I will ignore his words.