Moscow plan to build military base in Moldova rejected - Voronin
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Written by Nikola
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Sunday, 30 October 2005 |
Interfax Russia - Moscow, Russia
CHISINAU. Oct 30 (Interfax) - Moscow's 2003 proposal to locate a military base in Moldova for the next 20 years was rejected by Chisinau.
Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin told Russian journalists in Chisinau that Russia attached this proposal to the plan for settling the Transdniestrian conflict, drawn up in 2003 by the then deputy presidential chief of staff Dmitry Kozak, at the last moment.
Moldova refused to sign it.
Voronin told journalists that hours before the signing ceremony, he discovered a new page in the settlement plan. "It was a page-long new document, saying that a Russian military base will be located in Moldova for the next 20 years," Voronin said.
He said he informed Russia that if this page remained part of the plan, the plan would not be signed.
Chisinau wants the Russian ammunition depots located in Transdniestria to be removed.
Reintegration Minister Vasile Sova told Russian journalists that in accordance with the constitution, foreign troops cannot be located in Moldova, while the country cannot join military alliances.
"We do not plan to join either NATO, or the Collective Security Treaty Organization. We would like Moldova to remain appealing as a neutral state," Sova said.
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