Moldova conditions elections in Transdniestria on basic rights
|
Monday, 27 June 2005
|
|
CHISINAU, Itar-Tass - Moldova said it would oppose Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenkos plan of elections in Transdniestria until elementary rights and freedoms of citizens are guaranteed in this self-proclaimed republic.
Moldovan Minister for Reintegration Vasiliu Shova, who is responsible for the Transdniestrian settlement, said on Saturday, There is no freedom of the press, there is no freedom of mass media or any other freedom of speech in Transdniestria.?
Tiraspol authorities keep political prisoners, whose status has been recognised by the European Court of Human Rights, under arrest. The region is under ideological influence of political police, the so-called state security ministry,? Shova said.
Unless these obstacles to democracy are removed, there can be no question of considering a concrete date of elections in Transdniestria,? he added.
Yushchenko proposed to organise elections in Transdniestria under international supervision. In May of last year, he offered a plan of conflict resolution in Transdniestria. It was supported by the head of the parliamentary delegation of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Kimmo Kiljunen, who visited Moldova and Transdniestria last week.
According to Kiljunen, the OSCE can organise parliamentary elections in Transdniestria by using the Kosovo model. He believes the elections could be held before the end of the year by Transdniestrian legislation if it is brought in compliance with international standards.
 |
