More Russian military equipment leaves Transdniestria
(OSCE/Neil Brennan)Lt. Col. Hank Wenker, military mission member of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, observes the removal of Russian military equipment from Transdniestria. (OSCE/Neil Brennan) Photo details
CHISINAU, 30 December 2002 - The OSCE Mission to Moldova has again verified the removal of Russian military equipment from the Transdniestrian region of Moldova, destined for Russia.
A total of 29 rail cars left Tiraspol on 24 December, carrying bridge-building equipment and other material such as field kitchens. The train, which included one guard wagon, did not carry any ammunition.
"We are encouraged by the fact that the removal of military material is continuing", said Neil Brennan, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission, who participated in the verification group. "We hope that the departure of Russian military hardware will soon also include the removal of more ammunition from Kolbasna and the withdrawal of small arms."
General Boris Sergeev, Commander of the Operational Group of Russian Forces in the Transdniestrian region, explained that these most recent train removals were made possible under an agreement with the Transdniestrian authorities whereby they would receive one half of all material and supplies of a non-military purpose that are withdrawn. For example, with the removal of 77 trucks on 16 December, the Transdniestrian authorities received 77 trucks of equal quality from the Russian military base. He explained that this agreement was not to apply to any material having a direct military purpose.
A total of 29 rail cars left Tiraspol on 24 December, carrying bridge-building equipment and other material such as field kitchens. The train, which included one guard wagon, did not carry any ammunition.
"We are encouraged by the fact that the removal of military material is continuing", said Neil Brennan, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission, who participated in the verification group. "We hope that the departure of Russian military hardware will soon also include the removal of more ammunition from Kolbasna and the withdrawal of small arms."
General Boris Sergeev, Commander of the Operational Group of Russian Forces in the Transdniestrian region, explained that these most recent train removals were made possible under an agreement with the Transdniestrian authorities whereby they would receive one half of all material and supplies of a non-military purpose that are withdrawn. For example, with the removal of 77 trucks on 16 December, the Transdniestrian authorities received 77 trucks of equal quality from the Russian military base. He explained that this agreement was not to apply to any material having a direct military purpose.