CHISINAU. Dec 30 (Interfax-AVN) - The OSCE permanent mission in Moldova hopes that the decision to suspend the withdrawal of Russian weapons and munitions from Transdnestria is a temporary measure, spokesman for the mission Klaus Neukirch told journalists on Monday.
Commenting on the Transdnestrian administration's decision to suspend the pullout until January 8, 2004, the spokesman said that the OSCE stands firm that Russia should withdraw its troops and weapons from Transdnestria.
Neukirch said that the OSCE hopes that Moscow will find a way to overcome all obstacles and meet its international obligations. He said that the declared ban on weapons withdrawal to January 8 did not come as a surprise to the OSCE, and expressed hope that no political barriers will be erected to block the pullout.
Commenting on Transdnestria's decision, Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin said on Sunday that "the issue of withdrawing Russian weapons from Transdnestria should not be left as a bargaining chip in the hands of the region's administration."
"Resolving this problem is a task for international society, primarily the Russian Federation," he said.
Voronin expressed confidence that "a way will be found not only to resume, but to complete the pullout of Russian arms."
"The Transdnestrian team believe that delaying the weapons withdrawal guarantees their existence. This has long not been the case. This does not guarantee them anything, but immense problems," he said.