TN SUPPORTS WORKING GROUPS NOT FULL PACKAGE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CHISINAU 000496

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UMB, EUR/ACE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PBTS EAID PINR MD
SUBJECT: TN SUPPORTS WORKING GROUPS NOT FULL PACKAGE

Ref: Chisinau 466

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Kelly Keiderling for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)


1. (C) Summary: In a May 7 meeting, Charge Keiderling and P/E Chief
Daria Fane met Transnistrian (TN) "Deputy Foreign Ministers"
Yastrebchak and Simonenko to discuss TN participation in the working
groups and USG assistance. The Transnistrians complained about
one-sided discussions in the working groups and about previous
agreements that had been ignored. They also wondered whether
Chisinau was really ready to negotiate and cited the need for
international guarantees of any agreements reached between Chisinau
and Tiraspol. The Transnistrian leadership has not yet decided on
MCC participation, but would send its experts to talks with the
Moldovan side, if hosted by the Embassy. The deputies would also
assist on unimpeded passage of Operation Provide Hope equipment. End
Summary.

Working Groups Useful to Resolve Practical Problems
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2. (C) "First Deputy Minister" of Foreign Affairs Yastrebchak said
the Transnistrian side was interested in using the working groups to
resolve concrete, practical problems, particularly in the areas of
transportation, environment, agriculture and humanitarian assistance.
He believed each working group should produce an agreement to be
signed by Chisinau and Tiraspol. The Transnistrians favored a
genuine two-sided debate, with the TN opinion included in the final
document and not a document forced on them by Moldovan government
(GOM) officials. They wanted each working group to be headed by two
co-chairs, so both sides ideas would be represented.

TN blames GOM for Railroad Problems
--------------


3. (C) Yastrebchak also wondered whether Chisinau officials were
really ready to negotiate with the Transnistrians. He gave an
example of TN's suggesting a resolution to the railroad impasse, but
Chisinau stopped short the negotiations on the issue of train
ownership. (Note: Chisinau holds that Transnistria illegally seized
the railroads on its territory, establishing its own illegitimate
railroad company, and that all railroads and rolling stock remain the
property of Moldova.)


4. (C) Yastrebchak cited distrust and the need for guarantees for any
agreements as the final major issue regarding the working groups. He
complained that many previous agreements signed between Tiraspol and
Chisinau were now being ignored. The working groups were now
attempting to start with a clean slate, he said, but needed to either
update or eliminate the old agreements.

TN Wants MCC Roads but Bridge Closed, Customs Problems
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5. (C) The two deputies were aware of the MCC compact proposal to
possibly reconstruct the M-14 and M-21 roads in TN. When Charge
d'Affaires suggested it would be useless to repair the roads unless
the Gura Bicului Bridge were opened (the bridge links the left-and
right-bank portions of the M-14),Simonenko said the Transnistrians
needed an assurance that the bridge not be used for military
purposes. Voronin had refused to sign and earlier agreement on this
issue. The deputies claimed TN readiness to open the bridge, but
blamed the Moldovan side for blocking it.


6. (C) Yastrebchak also complained about customs stamps.
Transnistria was interested in the transport of goods, he said, but
the TIR (International Road Transportation) carnet system required
customs stamps, and TN stamps lacked international recognition.


7. (C) The deputies said that the TN leadership had not yet
determined how far they were willing to go in dealing with American
partners, and, as part of this internal debate, the decision to
participate in MCC had not yet been resolved. Yastrebchak openly
told us that the TN decision to work with the USG required overcoming
some psychological and ideological barriers on the Transnistrians'
part. He also speculated that, in the end, the TN decision would be
positive.


8. (C) In the meantime, the deputies agreed that Transnistria would
cooperate on the next steps required by MCC, i.e., that TN road
experts participate in direct discussions together with GOM
officials. To minimize direct contacts with the GOM, they preferred
to participate in a meeting hosted by the American Embassy. They
expressed some enthusiasm for this new level of openness dealing
directly with the American side.

MFA Deputies also Helpful on Operation Provide Hope
-------------- --------------


9. (C) Charge d'Affaires informed the TN MFA Deputies about plans for

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distribution of Operation Provide Hope medical equipment to Moldova,
including five TN institutions. Though the TN "Ministry" of Health
would have the lead in ensuring distribution of these goods in TN,
the TN MFA promised to do its part to facilitate by informing border
authorities. They requested that assistance not be given through the
GOM and that the process not be politicized.

Comment
--------------


10. (C) While "Foreign Minister" Valerie Litskai the higher-ranking
Litskai usually dominates meetings with his rhetoric, this session
with his deputies allowed us a more pragmatic discussion of conflict
negotiations and USG assistance. We heard that Simonenko has links
to the TN State Security organs, but the two officials (probably in
their thirties) were nonetheless very open to cooperation with the
USG, and pleased to share their own points of view.


11. (C) We noticed a difference in approach between Chisinau and
Tiraspol on the working groups. While the GOM seeks a total package
approach to be solved by 5 plus 2 negotiations, the Transnistrian
side is hoping to resolve pragmatic issues one by one through the
working groups, without tackling the ultimate status question.

KEIDERLING