[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 17, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE CSCE PLAN FOR MOLDOVA

  Mr. DeCONCINI. Mr. President, a little-publicized, but promising 
initiative by the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and 
could end the long-simmering civil conflict that has torn Moldova apart 
for 2 years--if Russia decides to reject its imperialist policies, and 
support a good-faith, multilateral approach to resolving the conflict.
  Thanks to Stalin-mandering, a small sliver of Moldova known as 
Transdniestria extends eastward over the left bank of the Dniester 
river. The population is about 40 percent Moldovan, 28 percent--highly 
Russophobe--Ukrainian, and 25 percent Russian.
  Claiming to fear Moldova's possible unification with Romania, and 
charging the Moldova's capital, Chisinau with discriminatory policies, 
the mostly Slavic political leadership in the Transdniestrian capital, 
Tiraspol, engineered a secessionist movement in 1991 that produced a 
pro-Soviet Dniestr Republic.
  Imported Cossack allies and firepower provided by Russia's 14th Army, 
which is stationed in the area, helped consolidate the Dniestr Republic 
during several bloody months in the summer of 1992. Moreover, elements 
of the Dniestr Republic Guard crossed the river and seized the city of 
Bendery on the right bank. Today, a tripartite--Russian, Moldovan, and 
Transdniestrian--military force keeps a tenuous peace in the conflict 
area. In effect, Moldova has been partitioned.
  Nor is this, as Russians like to say, accidental. On February 2, an 
article in Rossiiskie Vesti concluded that the use of the 14th Army 
against Moldova was not a decision of its commanding general, but had 
been authorized and coordinated by the Ministry of Defense, determined 
to retain a valuable strategic outpost oriented towards the Balkans. In 
addition, an alliance of so-called Russian democrats, military 
officials, Russian nationalists, and the Moscow press largely lined up 
with the Dniestr Republic.
  In response to a request from the Moldovan Government, a CSCE mission 
was sent to Moldova to assist in mediation efforts. The mission has 
produced a commendable proposal designed to preserve Moldova's 
territorial integrity, while providing a special status for 
Transdniestria. Chisinau would handle defense and foreign relations, 
while some functions would be carried out jointly with Tiraspol, such 
as finance and justice.
  Tiraspol would, among other things, control its own regional budget 
and educational system. If Moldova in the future reunifies with 
Romania, Transdniestria would have the right to determine its own 
political status. And Russia's 14th Army goes home on an accelerated 
timetable.
  Recently, direct talks between President Snegur of Moldova and 
President Smirov of Transdniestria produced a communique in which both 
sides pledged to resolve their differences peacefully. Meanwhile, 
Moldova accepted Russia's status as mediator in the Moldova-
Transdniestria talks based on assurances that the CSCE proposal would 
be the basis for negotiations.
  Unfortunately, when the Russian mediator finished reworking the CSCE 
proposal, it didn't look much like the original. Significantly, there 
is no reference to the withdrawal of the 14th Army.
  Mr. President as a member of the CSCE, Russia should support the 
CSCE's mediation efforts rather than undermine them. As is the case in 
the Baltics, there is no reason for Russia to maintain military forces 
on the territory of independent Moldova. I urge Russia to adhere to 
CSCE principles and to be part of the solution, not the problem.

                          ____________________