Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CHISINAU687
2008-07-01 07:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Chisinau
Cable title:  

TRANSNISTRIAN 5-PLUS-2 NEGOTIATOR LITSKAI OUT

Tags:  PBTS PREL PGOV PINR MD 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHCH #0687 1830711
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 010711Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY CHISINAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6835
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS CHISINAU 000687 

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UMB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS PREL PGOV PINR MD
SUBJECT: TRANSNISTRIAN 5-PLUS-2 NEGOTIATOR LITSKAI OUT

Sensitive But Unclassified. Please Protect Accordingly.

UNCLAS CHISINAU 000687

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/UMB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PBTS PREL PGOV PINR MD
SUBJECT: TRANSNISTRIAN 5-PLUS-2 NEGOTIATOR LITSKAI OUT

Sensitive But Unclassified. Please Protect Accordingly.


1. (SBU) Transnistrian and Russian press have reported that
Transnistrian "Foreign Minister" Valery Litskai has been temporarily
replaced by his First Deputy Vladimir Yastrebchak, who was
officially named "Acting Foreign Minister" on June 26. Yastrebchak
had informally begun assuming Litskai's duties several weeks ago as
a result of the latter's incapacitation, allegedly because of
alcohol-related problems, but publicly reported as due to illness.
Since May, Yastrebchak has been receiving delegations, participating
in "President" Smirnov's meetings with foreign representatives,
taking part in all Cabinet meetings, and has visited Moscow for
consultations.


2. (SBU) It was the Russian press (Regnum) which, citing anonymous
sources in Kyiv, first reported on June 26 that Litskai's dismissal
was "just a matter of time." Later the same day, the Transnistrian
press (Novyi Region) announced that Smirnov had already signed a
decree appointing Litskai's Deputy, Yastrebchak, as "Acting Foreign
Minister." The same source mentioned that Litskai was on sick
leave.


3. (SBU) Chisinau contacts, in both government and the international
community, had earlier shared reports about Litskai's possible
dismissal. Contacts within the Moldovan 5-plus-2 negotiating team
were somewhat concerned about the possibility of such developments,
stressing the lack of a suitable replacement. Concerns focused on
the lack of experience of a Litskai successor. An inexperienced
Transnistrian negotiator would be limited to following instructions,
resulting in less flexibility and a more limited ability to reach
compromise. Under Transnistrian rules, the "foreign minister" is
the chief negotiator ex officio.

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


4. (SBU) We are assuming that Litskai's announced "sick-leave" will
end with his formal dismissal. While it is theoretically possible
that another person could be named to take Litskai's place, our best
guess is that Yastrebchak will assume the ministerial seat. He has
played the role for some weeks in both internal Transnistrian
meetings and those with the international community. Another
indication comes indirectly from Transnistria's inherited usage of
Soviet terminology, in which the term "temporary acting" was used to
stress a temporary interim position for the time of official's
incapacity, whereas "acting" usually meant an informal probationary
period followed by final appointment. The appointment of
Yastrebchak as "Acting Minister" in the weeks leading up to the
possible resumption of 5-plus-2 talks suggests he will likely
participate in those talks as the Transnistrian negotiator.

KEIDERLING