Moldova

OSCE Will Not Recognize Trandniestrian Referendum

The leader of Transdniester, Igor Smirnov, casts his vote during parliamentary elections in December 2005 (AFP) July 21, 2006 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said today that it will not recognize the results of a referendum planned for September 17 in Moldova's separatist Transdniester region.

The referendum is intended to confirm the independence of the region, which broke away from Moldova 16 years ago.


The OSCE has been mediating talks between Moldovan authorities and separatist leaders.


(Reuters)

The Transdniester Conflict

The Transdniester Conflict

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.