Moldovan delegation defies JCC's emergency session

Oleg Belyakov: "Such actions may result in escalation of the situation in the Security Zone"
 
In flagrant violation of the Joint Control Commission regulations, the Moldovan delegation has refused to participate in the JCC's emergency session, initiated by the Pridnestrovian delegation.
 
Pridnestrovie's co-chair of the JCC, Oleg Belyakov, said it was  Moldova's third demarche of that kind over the previous few years.

"The emergency session is a forced step, which has been taken by the Pridnestrovian side in compliance with the JCC's regulations.The consensus principle does not work here - neither side can refuse," Oleg Belyakov underscored in an interview with journalists.
 
He thinks these actions of the Moldovan side are aimed at disrupting the peacekeeping operation.
 
"It it very important for us to keep abreast of the situation in the Security Zone and what our military units have done in terms of providing peace and security. The JCC has not been monitoring the situation since 26 July. We have 16 detailed reports made by the Joint Military Control. Besides, the Moldovan side has blocked 17 visits of military observers to checkpoints in the Security Zone. Moldova's representatives explain their refusal to participate in the session by the fact that there is no emergency situation. Any plot, any confrontation, any conflict, any event in the Security Zone may fit this theory. It is the situation over the past 16 weeks which is exigent and calling for a debate," said Oleg Belyakov, adding that Moldova's flagrant violation of the JCC's regulations may result in escalation of the situation in the Security Zone.
 
Pridnestrovie's co-chair has said the OSCE Mission's representatives confirmed yesterday their visit to Bendery, but today "after consultations" they have refused to take part in the emergency session.
 
"It is a matter of the OSCE's conscience as, being an impartial observer, it must assist in finding a solution based on dialogue," concluded Oleg Belyakov.