TIRASPOL, Moldova, November 30 (AVN) - The self-proclaimed Trans-Dniester republic in the eastern part of Moldova has allowed Russia to withdraw a part of its weapons and military equipment stationed here, a high-ranking official of the Trans-Dniester administration said on Thursday.
The decision to let several trains with Russian armament out of the republic does not mean a change in Trans-Dniester's negative attitude towards withdrawal of armament and combat equipment of the former 14th army, the official told the Military News Agency.
Russian Defence Ministry officials supervising the Russian military contingent in Trans-Dniester ruled out use of force to get the arms and equipment out of the region.
Meanwhile, the Military News Agency has learned that the Trans-Dniester settlement commission headed by Russia's former prime minister Yevgeny Primakov drafted an unofficial and confidential document entitled "Basic Principles of the Mandate of the Peace and Stability Forces in the Trans-Dniester Region of the Moldovan Republic." Under the document the peacekeeping operation in the region is held jointly by the OSCE, Russia and Ukraine.
The forces are to comprise 1,600 to 1,700 Ukrainian and Russian servicemen. Their commander will be appointed by the OSCE. In addition to true peacekeeping missions, the forces will "guard security and contribute to flawless withdrawal of Russian armament and ammunition from the Trans-Dniester region of the Moldovan Republic," the document says.