Conflict in Transnistria and Gagauzia
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Conflict in Transnistria and Gagauzia refers to the inter-ethnic tensions in the regions of Transnistria and Gagauzia in Moldova in 1989-1992 and the War of Transnistria in March-July 1992.
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[edit] Beginning of the conflicts
In parallel with Moldova’s process of emancipation from the Soviet Union, from 1989 onwards protest movements in the regions with predominantly non-Moldovan populations (i.e. in Transnistria and Gagauzia) began organizing themselves to resist Moldova’s independence efforts. This resistance was mainly motivated by the fear that Moldova, once fully independent, would wish to reunite with Romania. In August 1989, the Slav population in Transnistria and the Gagauz demonstrated against the adoption of a language law that granted the status of official language only to the Romanian language.
In response to the Moldova’s declaration of independence, the Gagauz announced the formation of the "Gagauz Republic", separate from the Moldavian SSR and part of the Soviet Union on August 21, 1990. The Transnistrians followed suit on September 2, proclaiming the formation of the "Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic," with its capital at Tiraspol, as a part of the Soviet Union.
The violence broke out in the fall of 1990. Militia forces from Transnistria entered the Gagauz region to support the sovereignty movement there. In the Transnistrian city of Dubăsari, the separatists attacked the city council building. Three persons were killed and dozens more wounded. After the attempted 1991 August Coup, which was welcomed by the separatists, the Transnistrian “Republican Guard” began to take over, step by step, police stations, administrative bodies, schools, radio stations and newspapers. Buildings targeted for “take-over” were reportedly defended by human chains of unarmed Romanians. On December 13, 1991 Moldovan police for the first time returned fire in defending the regional government building in Dubăsari.
[edit] Escalation
The clashes renewed on March 1, 1992.
All efforts among Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, and Romania to mediate the conflict failed. President Mircea Snegur declared a state of emergency on March 28. However, the conditions took a turn for the worse in May as the government made an effort to disarm the paramilitary formations and escalated into a full-scale civil war in the city of Tighina/Bendery on June 19, 1992. After two days’ fierce fighting the Moldovan units were driven from the city, situated on the right side of the Dniester but claimed by the separatists.
There have been numerous proofs[citation needed] that the Russian 14th Army, stationed on the left bank, directly or indirectly supported the secessionists. Although officially neutral, the Russian commanders played a vital role in the conflict. They permitted the transfer of weapons from their stockpiles in Moldova to the Transnistrian militia and volunteered the services of "Cossack" forces that entered the region once fighting broke out. Furthermore, strong indications suggested[citation needed] that elements of the 14th Army actively intervened on the side of the separatists during the fighting in Bendery, using their heavy weapons to turn the tide in the fighting when necessary. Russian officials, including Vice President Aleksandr Rutskoy visited Transnistria in April and made statements virtually supporting the secessionists. President Boris Yeltsin threatened to intervene by force. Moldovan President Mircea Snegur declared on June 22 that "we are at war with Russia".
Aleksandr Lebed was from June 1992 the commander of the 14th Russian Army, based in Moldova. The presence of his troops is generally accounted responsible for preventing a large-scale expulsion of Russian natives, though Lebed publicly expressed his disgust with the corruption and cronyism of Igor Smirnov, the president of the pro-Russian breakaway region currently called Transnistria.
By the close of summer, more than 300 people had been killed[citation needed] in the conflict, and more than 1,000 had been wounded; a large part of Bendery had been devastated.
[edit] Easing of tensions
On July 21, 1992, an agreement was signed in Moscow between the Republic of Moldova and Russia on principles of a peaceful solution of the armed conflict in the Transnistrian region of Moldova. The agreement provided for an immediate ceasefire and the creation of a demilitarized security zone between the parties, 10 km left and right of the Dniestr, including also the city of Bendery. In a communiqué, the presidents of Moldova and Russia announced a set of principles for a peaceful solution of the conflict, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Moldova, the need for a special status of the left-bank Dniester region, and the right of the population of the left bank to decide on its own future if Moldova were to reunite with Romania.
The trilateral peacekeeping troops (5 Russian, 3 Moldovan and 2 Transdniestrian battalions) began deployment on July 29, 1992.
According to the Moscow Agreements, Russia agreed to withdraw the 14th Army. However, negotiations on a corresponding timetable have so far been unsuccessful. Russia's position, contested by the Moldovan authorities, is that the withdrawal should be synchronized with a political settlement of the conflict in the left bank areas.
Nowadays, both Transnistria and Gagauzia are granted autonomy within Moldova. However, the Transnistrian separatists refuse to recognize Moldovan sovereignty.
In 2004, closing of the Moldovan schools in Transnistria led to a significant crisis: both sides established economic measures against each other. Currently the OSCE is trying to resolve the situation.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- http://countrystudies.us/moldova/
- http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/13611.pdf
- The War of Transnistria (Russian)
- International Tribunal faults Moldova for 1992 massacres
- Tiraspol Times: "Human rights groups confirm Moldova massacres in 1992 conflict"
