New OSCE Moldovan Mission Head commends destruction of offensive weaponry - urges Transdniestria to copy

CHISINAU, 25 Jul 2006 - The new Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Ambassador Louis O'Neill, called today on the Transdniestrian authorities to follow the latest Moldovan example and to cut its military capacity.

He made his statement today at Bulboaca, the Instruction Centre of the Moldovan Armed Forces near Chisinau, after witnessing the destruction of their last Uragan 220 millimeter rockets*.

"This is a compelling signal of confidence-building on behalf of the Moldovan Government", he said. "It sends a clear message to the Transdniestrian authorities that there is no aggressive intent on the part of Chisinau.

"I therefore call on the Transdniestrian authorities to likewise cut their military capability. There is no need and no place for heavy and offensive military equipment in this region", Ambassador O'Neill added.

The Ambassador, who replaced William Hill as Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova on 21 July, recalled that a year ago, on 12 July 2005, his predecessor had presented both the Government of Moldova and the Transdniestrian authorities with a package of Arms Control and Confidence- and Security-Building Measures (CSBMs).

The package called, among other things, for reducing heavy armaments. Though discussions followed with the Moldovan side on the package, no response came from the Transdniestrian authorities and the issue has reached an impasse in recent months.

"I call on all those involved, first of all on the Transdniestrian authorities, to accept the destruction of the Uragan rockets at Bulboaca as a starting point for constructive talks on the CSBMs package and to take concrete steps towards arms control and disarmament," the Head of Mission said.

[*Uragan or Hurricane is a multiple launch rocket system which is used to defeat troops and combat materiel in concentrated areas. Its 220mm rockets have a range of up to 40km and carry a warhead of up to 100kg.]