Moldova and the Conflict in Transnistria

Released by the U.S. Mission to the OSCE

(As delivered)

Mr. Chairman, I would like to also welcome [Head of the OSCE Mission in Moldova] Ambassador Hill back to the Permanent Council after too long an absence. I am told that at his last appearance here in October 2001, he expressed his intention to return in the future. I am pleased that the future is now.

I would also like to welcome Ambassador Adriaan Jacobovits de Szeged, the recently appointed Special Representative of the Chairman-in-Office. By all we have heard, Ambassadors Hill and Jacobovits have established an excellent working relationship, which is itself a very promising sign of things to come.

Mr. Chairman, the United States has followed with great interest the discussion following [Moldovan] President Voronin's announcement of his bold proposal for a so-called "constitutional convention" that would bring together representatives of the Moldovan Government and the self-proclaimed Transnistrian authorities. We commend Mr. Voronin for his courage in taking such an ambitious public step toward resolving the conflict in Transnistria.

At the same time, irrespective of this new proposal, we urge the two sides to continue their constructive dialogue with the three mediators, the OSCE, Russia, and Ukraine, in the existing five-sided format and on the basis of the Kiev document. It is too early to know how well these two processes can blend together, but we encourage any mutually acceptable steps that will lead to a comprehensive political settlement of the conflict, with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova.

Mr. Chairman, I gather that Ambassador Hill may have received some encouraging signs regarding the withdrawal of Russian forces from Moldova during his recent trip to Moscow. We hope that this positive trend does indeed lead to concrete progress on the ground, and we encourage the Russian Federation to take all steps possible to restart the process of withdrawal and/or destruction as rapidly as possible.

As I have often stated in the past, the United States stands ready to do all it can to support and facilitate the Russian withdrawal. Our sizeable contributions remain in the Voluntary Fund, and our Donovan Chamber remains on site in Moldova, despite Tiraspol's continuing unfortunate refusals to allow on-site destruction.

In this regard, Mr. Chairman, I would like to recall that when Presidents Bush and Voronin met in December in Washington, the United States indicated its readiness to consider, together with other concerned countries, targeted measures directed at the Tiraspol regime. I would urge all of my colleagues here, and particularly those participating States most directly involved in attempting to resolve the Transnistrian conflict, to consider very seriously joining in such measures.

Mr. Chairman, I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome the recent initiatives of the Government of Ukraine toward improving border controls with Moldova. In this regard, Ambassador Hill's discussions with both the Ukrainian Government and the authorities in Tiraspol appear to hold out real hope for increased transparency along the border between Ukraine and the Transnistrian region. The United States encourages all parties to seek a cooperative way to achieve this goal. As the concept of international border observers develops, we will decide how best to support an OSCE role.

Finally, I would like to congratulate Ambassador Hill and his Mission on the admirable work they are doing to combat trafficking in persons in Moldova. The United States is committed fully to OSCE efforts to combat trafficking, and we also have significant bilateral cooperation with the Government of Moldova in this area.

In closing, I would like to wish Ambassador Hill all success in his return engagement in Moldova. With his excellent staff and the able cooperation of Ambassador Jacobovits, I am optimistic that he will make real progress in the year to come. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.