FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF CONFLICT BETWEEN

MOLDOVA AND TRANS-DNIESTRIA

1990

November.

November 5^th: radio speech of the TMSSR provisional Supreme Council Chairman I. N. Smirnov, where he demands the Government of Moldova that it should stop escalating tension and withdraw all armed forces from the TMSSR territory, and should hold responsible the culprits of Dubossary fusillade.

November 7^th: funerals of Dubossary fusillade victims. The political hunger-strike of Dubossary women begins in order to attract attention of the USSR President at Moldova authorities activity.

November 10^th: the meeting of “Women’s councils of Trans-Dniestria” active group participants who appeal to women of Moldova in order to prevent escalation of conflict and judge actions of the SSRM government. In the newspaper “The Dniestrian Truth” there is published an appeal of Tiraspol City council deputy Bochkovsky about creating a federal republic (on the basis of the SSRM) consisting of the RM itself, GR and TMSSR.

November 15^th-25^th: preparation for elections to the bicameral Supreme Council of the TMSSR. In press, there are discussed electoral programs of candidates.

November 25^th: elections take place in all populated areas of Trans-Dniestria, attendance of electors consists more than 90%. Votes are mainly given to the TMSSR creation supporters.

November 27^th: the first official press-conference of I. N. Smirnov in office of the TMSSR provisional Supreme Council Chairman; the break of informational blockade.

November 29^th: the 1^st session of the TMSSR Supreme Council. Heading bodies and permanent commissions are elect. There is confirmed the staff of delegation (headed by I. N. Smirnov) for meeting with the USSR President M. S. Gorbachiov. There is emphasized the necessity of discussing the TMSSR draft Constitution up till December 10^th 1990.

December.

In press divulges information about creating special battalions (having less than thousand people) in the RM. One of them is named: “Tiras-Tighina”.

December 12^th: a Declaration about the GR and TMSSR Supreme Councils is adopted regarding unification into a federal state, it is also offered to the RM to join the union of two equal republics.

December 13^th: the RM Prosecutor Department gives orders to arrest three deputies of Tiraspol City Council: I. Smirnov, A. Volkova, V. Ryliakov – by fact of resisting against fulfillment of stipulations of the RM Constitution. The arrested are threatened with possible imprisonment – for term of less than 10 years. In “The Dniestrian Truth” there is published the “Declaration of the TMSSR sovereignty”, the “Decree of state power in the TMSSR”.

December 16^th: in Kishinev, there is a meeting of the PFM and its supporters, the RM highest officials take part in it. On the meeting, it is decided not to discuss the “Union Treaty” and not to let the population take part in a referendum for that issue.

December 17^th: in “The Dniestrian Truth” there appears information about interview of I. Ilashku, where there is informed about availability of lists of “Enemies of Indivisible Moldova” and resolution of the PFM Tiraspol department to start liquidating them.

December 22^nd: M. S. Gorbachiov edits decrees "About measures of normalizing situation in the SSRM” where it is stipulated to dissolve the GR and TMSSR, and in exchange the SSRM government and parliament should reconsider their position in national issue. In response, the PFM organizes meetings; full weakening of the central power is felt.

December 29^th: the SSRM Supreme Council resolution is adopted regarding the USSR President decree. It is decided to reconsider a number of laws about language, to dissolve all volunteers’ and other detachments of assisting the MIA bodies, to liquidate the GR and TMSSR.

1991

January 1^st-2^nd: mass outrage of the PFM supporters in Kishinev; the Interethnic movement supporters meeting is broken down, and Gloria Memorial is defiled.

January 10^th: Trans-Dniestrian delegates restart working in the SSRM Supreme Council. I. N. Smirnov sends an appeal to M. S. Gorbachiov, where he gives very negative appreciation of the SSRM authorities activity after the President’s decree dated December 22^nd 1990. There is a request to strengthen control upon the SSRM government activity.

January 17^th: the UCWC of Tiraspol appeals to the USSR and RSFSR Supreme Councils with request to protect Russian-speaking population, living on “national margins” of the USSR. In the USSR, there is general escalation of tension, waves of nationalist manifestations have a goal to liquidate the USSR.

January 20^th: at the 3^rd Congress of all-level deputies of Trans-Dniestria I. Smirnov makes a report “About social and public situation in the SSRM”. On the Congress, it is decided to form executive bodies of the new republic. The Congress decrees: the TMSSR is an independent state and has the right to join the USSR as its subject. It is decided to ask the USSR Supreme Council for juridical recognition of the TMSSR, to affirm the structure of state governing bodies till February 1^st 1991.

January 16^th: The USSR Supreme Council adopts a resolution about holding a referendum on issue of keeping the USSR on federal basis. Kishinev shows negative reaction at that event, but Tiraspol supports its holding.

February.

The press actively discusses issues of holding the union-wide referendum. Disputes, opinions “for” and “against”.

February 9^th: the TMSSR Supreme Council session elects its Chairman: G. S. Marakutsa. I. N. Smirnov is elect as the Head of Republic. The TMSSR governing bodies keep appearing and developing. Laws about state bank and budget system of the republic are adopted. In Moldova, there activate supporters of unification with Romania.

February 18^th: there is adopted a decree of elaborating 9 republican basic laws more.

February 23^rd: the SSRM Supreme Council decides not to hold the referendum in Moldova on issue of saving the USSR, a counter-offer is put forward – about creating a confederation of sovereign states. Tension keeps escalating.

March.

The referendum on keeping the USSR as a federal state is fixed for March 17^th. The decision of the SSRM not to take part in the referendum leads to a new conflict with the TMSSR and GR, which have decided to hold it in their territories regardless of Kishinev. Appeals to republican authorities about agreement with holding referendum fail.

March 2^nd: the SSRM introduces its own currency unit – the coupon. It in fact means leaving the USSR unified currency system. The TMSSR decides not to recognize the coupon and not to use in its territory.

March 9^th: a number of departments of republican-wide importance is confirmed and adopted. Further forming of the TMSSR independence as of a state.

March 10^th: the “Ultimatum” of M. Snegur, addressed to I. Smirnov, where he demands denying the referendum in the TMSSR on issue of saving the USSR. The Ultimatum is rejected, though there is an undisguised threat for all who are responsible for holding the referendum.

March 17^th: the referendum is held, where 84% of the USSR citizens take part; 98% of them voted for saving the USSR. The Right bank inhabitants come to the TMSSR to take part in the referendum. In Moldova the referendum is not held.

April.

April 3^rd: the Trans-Dniestrian law about government is published. Forming of main power structures is finished.

April 12^th: the Trans-Dniestrian regional bank is created. Generally, in Trans-Dniestria this month lasts calmly, but in scale of the USSR serious problems come to a head. The state-wide miners’ strike, abrupt increase of prices and general crisis put the country on edge of destruction.

April 30^th: Moldova MIA bodies seize the TMSSR Supreme Council vice-chairman V. Zagriadski and arrest him illegally. The TMSSR authority reaction at this action is absolutely negative. Kishinev authorities confirm their threat regarding punishment of officials who have taken part in holding the referendum. Next crisis in relations between the RSSM and TMSSR.

May.

May 6^th: the Decree “About militia of the TMSSR”. Actual passing of the internal affairs bodies under republican control.

May 21^st: the first republican budget is adopted.

May 22^nd: demonstrations take place in Kishinev. The PFM strengthens pressure upon the RM government, demanding exit from the USSR. An attempt of capturing the republican parliament building is made. On the RSSM Supreme Council session M. Snegur demands orienting not at the USSR but on relations with Romania.

June, July, August.

Further deepening of crisis in relations between the RSSM and TMSSR on the background of strengthened tendency of disintegration of the USSR. The SSRM authority is preparing for breaking up with the Center. Trans-Dniestria expresses its disagreement with that.

July 27^th: the TMSSR government issues the decree of celebrating the day of September 2^nd as the day of republic creation anniversary.

August 13^th: drafts of the TMSSR flag and coat of arms (remained from the MSSR but with a number of differences) are published.

August 19^th: the first information about putsch in Moscow comes; the situation in the TMSSR is relatively stable, no excess is marked. In the SSRM there are demonstrations and meetings of the PFM against actions of Center. They demand that the SSRM government should leave the USSR.

August 23^rd: the SSRM government blames the TMSSR authorities for supporting Moscow coup d’etat and directs its armed groups to Trans-Dniestrian towns. Provocation takes place throughout the TMSSR territory. A number of the TMSSR Supreme Council deputies, namely G. Pologov, I. Milman, are seized and taken to Kishinev. The TMSSR government takes decision to declare special state and leading all MIA officials to fighting trim.

August 25^th: “Declaration of independence of the TMSSR”.

August 26^th: a crowded meeting in Tiraspol demands setting detained deputies free.

August 27^th: Kishinev authorities issue a decree of closing all newspapers in Trans-Dniestria and confiscating all devices belonging to them.

August 30^th: meetings and strikes take place in towns of Rybnitsa, Bendery, Tiraspol, supporting demands for setting seized deputies free; in towns special state is declared. The decree of closing newspapers is cancelled.

September.

September 2^nd: the first anniversary of the TMSSR. Holiday demonstrations and meetings take place in all towns and district centers of Trans-Dniestria. The day before, Trans-Dniestrian women start picketing the railroad, protesting against actions of repressive bodies of Moldova who have seized the TMSSR Supreme Council chairman I. Smirnov in Kiev. The 4^th Congress of all-level deputies starts working, where they give angry appreciation of the SSRM bodies actions; they affirm belief in stable course for sovereignty despite any obstacles.

Authorities of the SSRM are given ultimatum with threat of applying extreme measures of struggle in case if all seized deputies of the TMSSR and GR are not set free. A commission of adopting the TMSSR Constitution is created.

Drafts of coat of arms and flag of the republic are confirmed.

September 9^th: picketing of the railroad goes on. The women’s strike committee decides to pass from picketing to political strike. G. Andreeva is at the head of the strike committee.

September 10^th: the USSR people’s deputies’ Congress decrees to be considered self-dissolved, confirming thus liquidation of the USSR. The RSSM declares about withdrawal of all Soviet army units from its territory.

September 11^th: the decree is issued regarding keeping troops and units of the Soviet army in the TMSSR territory, about non-recognition of custom frontier between the SSRM and Ukraine. Moldova officially declares willingness to separate from the USSR and forces breaking up with the center.

September 13^th: in Dubossary, there is counteraction between militia city department, subordinated to Kishinev, and local authorities. Meetings of the TMSSR and PFM supporters take place.

Tension around Dubossary increases. The railroad picket of women strike committee moves from Bendery to Tiraspol. Railroad blockade goes on.

September 14^th: in Trans-Dniestria, in response to actions of repressive forces of the RM, the “Law about Guard” is adopted. The TMSSR Armed forces forming begins. In Tiraspol, a meeting takes place near the City Department of Internal Affairs (CDIA) building, where people demand that the CDIA officials should pass under jurisdiction of the TMSSR. The same demands are addressed to Prosecutor department. Both branches of power confirm their agreement to join the will of people.

September 18^th: meeting with the Republic of Moldova President M. Snegur, the PFM authority demands immediate unification with Romania.

September 23^rd: The TMSSR Supreme Council issues a resolution about creating a Committee of defense issues, about passing of all Soviet army units, displaced on the territory of republic, under its jurisdiction, about measures of protecting sovereignty and independence of the TMSSR. There is recognized real danger of the RM forces invasion in the territory of Trans-Dniestria, measures of preventing possible invasion are indicated.

September 24^th: Rybnitsa CDIA passes under jurisdiction of the TMSSR. Women picket Tiraspol CDIA whose authority is slow in taking decision. Kamenka District Department of Internal Affairs (DDIA) passes under jurisdiction of the republican power.

September 25^th: next provocation in Dubossary. Police officers open fire at a car near the CDIA building. On the car, there are staying people who demand passing of policemen under jurisdiction of the TMSSR. Two people are wounded. The town is blocked, the CDIA building is surrounded by women. Tiraspol CDIA declares about passing under jurisdiction of the TMSSR.

September 26^th: forces of Special Purpose Police Detachment (SPPD), having less than 400 people, are brought in Dubossary. Counteraction of town inhabitants and the RM forces comes to a dangerous line. Volunteers from other districts of republic come to help the TMSSR supporters. Actions of Moldova cause quite negative reaction in Russia and throughout the world. Official protests come.

October.

Actions of protest and railroad blockade give results. An agreement is reached and fulfilled between the TMSSR and RM. The TMSSR and GR Supreme Councils deputies – I. Smirnov, V. Bodnar, G. Popov – are set free. The SPPD units are withdrawn from Dubossary. Railroad blockade stops. Simultaneously, there is a split in Dubossary CDIA: a part of employees pass under the TMSSR jurisdiction.

The government keeps on working to form the republic.

October 10^th: there is adopted a resolution about holding a referendum on issue of independence of the TMSSR. In response, Moldova blockades bank accounts of Trans-Dniestrian enterprises.

During this month, a convention committee from the RM and TMSSR works, but no agreement is achieved.

November.

The law about holding election of the President of the TMSSR is adopted. The TMSSR Supreme Council denies idea of people’s participation in the election of the RM President. Simultaneously, the RM Supreme Council is addressed a message where it is offered to confirm illegality of the MASSR entering Bessarabia, because the act of creating the MSSR in 1940 is also found illegal, and Bessarabia may thus be given full independence.

November 2^nd: there is organized the republican-wide Day of commemorating victims in Dubossary in November 1990.

November 5^th: there is decided to introduce changes in the name of republic. From now on the official name of the state is the Trans-Dniestrian Moldavian Republic.

November 23^rd: a decision is taken to allow Trans-Dniestrian people pass military service on territory of the republic , since the Soviet army is divided into national ones.

December.

December 1^st: 78% of citizens take part in elections of the TMR President and referendum on republic’s independence. 97,7% voted for independence. I. Smirnov is elect President, and A. Karaman – Vice-President.

December 5^th: the President of the TMR issues decree of stopping of the RM internal affairs bodies action on the TMR territory.

December 7^th: decree of passing all enterprises and means of production (situated on the territory of republic) into property of people of the TMR.

December 12^th: tension in Bendery increases. Exit of number of the CDIA employees from subordination to Kishinev causes situation of biarchy. The same actions take place in Grigoriopol. In these towns parallel bodies of internal affairs are created. The Prosecutor's Institution passes under the TMR jurisdiction.

December 13^th: bloodshed in Dubossary – battle in the entrance to the town. Both parts have casualties. The town is in the state of siege; skirmish in streets. Two civilians dead. The Parliament of Moldova takes decision to disband all military units of the TMR and demands reestablishing constitutional power. It is planned to send enough forces to the TMR and GR. The TMR Supreme Council and women’s strike committee express rough protest against these actions. As result of armed counteraction, 3 guards are killed, about 25 are wounded and taken prisoners by armed forces of Moldova. As result of negotiations between presidents of the TMR and RM, a convention is signed regarding separation of conflicting parts and creation of commission for investigating these events. The forces of the SPPD and Republican guard of the TMR are taken away from Dubossary. The reason of conflict is clash between employees of Dubossary District Police Department, (City Department of Internal Affairs) and militia of the TMR. By the end of December the situation generally stays calm.

December 27^th – 30^th: the 2^nd meeting of the CIS presidents takes place.

Women of the TMR made a march of peace. When meeting with workers from Belorussia and officials from a number of republics, they tell the truth about the TMR and its struggle. It is appreciated as a break of informational blockade.

December 26^th: there is adopted a number of government resolutions, directed for organizing defense of the TMR: “About defense”, “About general conscription”, “About military oath”, “About armed forces”, “About the Commander-in-Chief”. The recreation of Black Sea Kazak Army is finished, the district ataman (commander) is elect: A. Rudchuk.

1992.

January.

January 8^th: The TMR Supreme Council forms working groups for negotiations with the RM.

January 12^th: an incident with police in Dubossary, fire is opened, both parts have wounded people. The engineers’ brigade from Dubossary passes under jurisdiction of the TMR.

January 25^th: Moldova declares about introducing its national currency – lei.

February.

February 12^th: a parliamentary group of people’s deputies from the TMR appear in Moscow. A number of meetings takes place and a series of interviews are given to central press and TV.

February 15^th: next action of the PFM in the village of Lunga (a suburb of Dubossary). A drunk crowd tries to drive militia officers and guards away from the bridge. Preventive fire is opened. Citizens help the TMR MIA forces. Provocation is prevented.

February 19^th: the President of the TMR signs decree “About ensuring development of Ukrainian culture”.

February 25^th: the RM blocks economic accounts of the TMR and recalls licenses of banks, situated in Trans-Dniestria. In response, decision is taken to break up relations with the National bank of Moldova (in case of on-going economic blockade) and to begin settling direct accounts with partners.

March.

March 1^st: in Dubossary, policemen kill the chief of the CDIA, major I. Sipchenko.

March 2^nd: the city department of police is taken by storm. Kazak M. Zubkov is killed. Policemen, taken prisoners, are given to the RM officials. In response, the SPPD forces and Moldavian volunteers capture the Civil Protection regiment of the 14^th Russian Army and take members of militaries’ families as hostages.

March 3^rd: units of guard liberate hostages by force. The major Voronkov, sergeant Titovski, caporal Tolstenko, soldier Shinkov. 21 people are wounded, among which also peaceful people. It is the beginning of armed counteraction on the Dniester.

March 4^th: in Dubossary and Dubossary district emergency state is declared. The SPPD concentrates forces. Black Sea Kazak Army units from other towns come to help the Republican guard of the TMR. In the TMR, mourning for victims is declared. A conventional commission from the RM comes to Dubossary to settle the conflict. Agreement for ceasing fire is signed.

March 5^th: funerals of guards, killed in the Kochiery village, take place. In the center of Tiraspol a meeting takes place. In Dubossary, there expect a new storm. Permanent skirmish on the hydroelectric power station dam and on edge of the town. There are some wounded people. Don river kazaks declare about readiness to come to help. A detachment of Kuban river kazaks comes.

March 7^th: a skirmish again. The strike committee organizes a picket near the 14^th Army staff. Women demand dismissal of the Commander Yu. Netkachev for inaction, and passing of the Army under jurisdiction of the TMR.

March 8^th-11^th: skirmish in Dubossary. The RM wrecking detachments are noticed. A terrorist act in Grigoriopol: grenades are thrown into houses of the TMR Supreme Council deputies G. Popov and V. Bodnar. Buildings are damaged. The OSCE Mission members come to Tiraspol and meet with G. Marakutsa.

March 12^th-13^th: heavy arms are used for the first time – grenade-throwers – for firing Dubossary. Two kazaks are killed. Tension in Bendery escalates. The city police department gets ready for defense. The PFM supporters activate. Snipers and wreckers are active.

March 14^th-15^th: the RM forces (up to 6500 policemen and soldiers) concentrate around Dubossary. Battles take place near villages Koshnitsa and Kochiery. 12 guards are killed, and 40 are wounded. Casualties of Moldova are concealed. In the TMR, emergency state is declared. The RM in ultimate form demands stopping armed resistance, otherwise threatens to take all measures for defeating the TMR.

March 18^th: The “Temporary regulation of people’s home guard”. A parliamentary delegation of the RF comes to the TMR, the next agreement of ceasing fire is signed under its control. The RM adopts the law about National army and compulsory call-up of citizens for military service.

March 24^th: provocation and terrorist acts go on. Both parts have killed and wounded. The RF Supreme Council send a message to counterparts where it appeals for passing to peaceful negotiations. In Ukraine’s districts neighbored to the TMR, refugees’ reception committees are created. In Kishinev, the CIS military command signs the treaty about giving to Moldova 90% of Soviet army engineering, displaced in the region. Ukraine closes access to the TMR for volunteers and kazaks.

March 26^th-27^th: Wrecking in Grigoriopol. Positions are taken under fire near Dubossary. Heavy artillery is noticed to be used by the RM. The firing is done by mine-throwers and snipers. A number of famous writers from Russia send messages to the RM and TMR Supreme Councils appealing to cease fire.

March 29^th: in Moldova, emergency state is declared. New attempts to attack positions of the TMR troops. In the TMR, commandant hour is introduced – from 10 PM till 6 AM. The Armed forces are in full fighting trim. The TMR Supreme Council adopts a message, where it appeals for addressing to the 14^th Army troops to become guarantee of population’s security. Appeals are also sent to the CIS and European countries heads.

New terrorist acts – an ambulance car is taken under fire, a woman is killed, four people more are wounded.

April.

The situation is tensed. In the RM, the law is adopted regarding total mobilization. In the TMR, there is gathering of home guards.

April 1^st: situation in Bendery tenses. The SPPD armored transporter breaks into the town and fires at a militia post. A bus with workers gets under fire. There are killed and wounded. Number of refugees from battles areas already reaches few thousands.

April 2^nd: the 14^th Army officers’ assembly decrees to stop battles immediately and to begin removing troops, to take out armored engineering for enforcing Bendery garrison. Women block the Army staff and demand passing of engineering to the TMR troops. Negotiations are held.

April 3^rd: negotiations go on. Parts are not ready for making concessions. The RF Supreme Council offers to include the OSCE and the UNO to the negotiation process. Meanwhile Bendery are in state of siege, roads are blocked, counter-action threatens to turn into military collisions. The RF Vice-President A. Rutskoi comes to the TMR; he declares that Russia will not allow the on-going genocide of the TMR people, made by the RM. It is offered to give the 14^th Army troops the statute of peace-keeping forces.

April 6^th-7^th: the ministers of foreign affairs of Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Romania meet in Kishinev, a delegation from Trans-Dniestria also takes part there. The “Declaration for Trans-Dniestria”. Agreement is given to use the 14^th Army as “blue helmets”. The TMR is guaranteed a statute of free economic zone. The Army is taken under Russian government.

April 9^th: the TMR government declares again about resolution to defend republic’s independence and about disagreement with ignoring opinion of republic’s people. In parts of troops’ touch there is calm. The SPPD units seize a number of populated areas, situated on the Right bank but referring to Slobodzeia district of the TMR.

April 15^th: a commission of parts disarmament is created in Bendery.

April 17^th: the TMR Supreme Council adopts a regulation about stabilizing situation. Demands of stopping provocation and withdrawal of forces by Moldova are not fulfilled. In Bendery, the deblockation of roads and entrances begins.

April 20^th-24^th: in Bendery, the situation is calmed. In Dubossary, there is skirmish and mine-throwers firing at dam. There are wounded people.

April 24^th: by the women strike committee offer, a decision is taken to send volunteers (from among women) to trenches in order to make a “live shield” in place between counterparts. Near the village Karagash, the car of Slobodzeia district Executive committee Chairman N. Ostapenko is attacked. He is murdered. The TMR declares firm protest against those actions.

At fronts, till the end of April there keeps relative calm.

May.

May 1^st-9^th: in Bendery, the situation is calm. In Dubossary, there is a night firing by artillery. Destruction of living sector and victims among citizens are marked. The terrorist group of Ilashku murders A. Gusar – the deputy Chairman of Slobodzeia UCWC.

May 12^th: military observers from countries-members of signed agreement begin working in Bendery.

May 18^th: fire is opened at Dubossary hydro-electric power station and at the town. Buildings are considerably damaged. A big amount of technical lubricant gets into the Dniester which causes threat of ecological catastrophe. Near the village Dorotskoie, battles begin, with usage of armored transporters. Both parts have considerable casualties, many victims are among peaceful population. The TMR Supreme Council Presidium declares protest to the RM authorities.

May 19^th: a decision is taken to create a commission for citizens’ evacuation, because of large-scale battles. In Tiraspol, picketing of the 14^th Army units restarts. A decision is taken to give a part of heavy engineering, situated in the Army arsenals, to the TMR units.

May 20^th: skirmish in Dubossary. 18 people are killed and wounded, among whom women and children.

May 21^st: firing of Dubossary and Grigoriopol. The MEA of Russia makes a declaration regarding events in Dubossary. Evacuation of population begins.

May 24^th: M. Snegur makes a declaration where he demands military conquer of the TMR defenders and proclaims presence of Russian troops in the RM as direct aggression of the RM and actual declaration of war to Moldova by Russia.

May 26^th: the TMR Supreme Council takes decision to help Gagauzia in case of military attack from the RM. In late May, at fronts there is temporary calm, and the negotiation process activates. In that case, the 14^th Army armored transporters act as stabilizing force and cools the ardor of militaries from the Right bank.

June.

In early June, spontaneous skirmish near Dubossary. Bendery admit first peace-keepers.

June 2^nd: in Tiraspol, the terrorist group headed by I. Ilashku (chief of the PFM Tiraspol department) is captured, which is suspected in murders of N. Ostapenko and A. Gusar.

June 4^th: the TMR Supreme Council adopts a resolution of stopping the war; the resolution is offered to be considered at the session on June 9^th 1992.

June 7^th-8^th: new firing at Dubossary, there are victims.

June 9^th: battles stop because of the RM Supreme Council opening. A number of deputies from the TMR take part in the session. In Bendery, there is attack at post of guards, three of them are killed. At the session, there win supporters of peaceful settlement of the conflict. It is offered to dismiss the government. There is critics in address of M. Snegur and I. Kostash.

There are suggestions of creating a federation in the territory of the RM.

June 16^th: the TMR Supreme Council takes decision not to introduce the RM coupons in republic. In Bendery, the tension increases, caused by the police city department. At enterprises, there are meetings where people demand withdrawal of policemen from the city. 50 thousand of citizens’ signatures are gathered for policemen withdrawal.

June 17^th-18^th: situation is calm. The TMR Supreme Council discusses suggestions of the RM parliament.

June 19^th-23^rd: start of battles in Bendery. The reason – provocation of police. The RM troops enter the town. There are battles in streets. Within 24 hours they are thrown out of the town by forces who have come from Tiraspol. The town is taken under fire. Heavy fires begin. Both parts have casualties of up to 600 people, a lot of victims among peaceful population. About 3500 people are wounded. Tens of thousands of people leave the town.

June 24^th: the TMR troops control the central and the eastern part of the town, there are battles in the southern part.

June 25^th-26^th: a balance is achieved. The town is under the TMR troops control. Moldova regroups its forces. Firing goes on. Simultaneously, those days there is active firing at Dubossary and Grigoriopol. Certain units of the 14^th Army also join the battle as well as people’s home guard from the TMR towns.

July.

July 1^st: the RF minister of external affairs Kozyrev gives an interview to the newspaper “Izvestia” (“The Proceedings”) where he gives open warning to forces that have unleashed the massacre in Bendery.

July 2^nd: the RM President Snegur appeals to the RF asking for a summit in order to stop the conflict.

July 3^rd: the meeting takes place in Moscow. The TMR representatives do not take part. Decisions are taken: to stop battles and remove belligerents; to determine the political statute of Trans-Dniestria; to withdraw the 14^th Army units in conformity with bilateral agreements, but only after realization of the two first points; to form and send to Trans-Dniestria the units from the staff of the RF Paratroopers’ Division (PTD) for accomplishing peace-keeping mission. The RF President B. Yeltsin expresses the following opinion: the RM should be integral; the TMR should have its political statute within integral state; the RF is categorically against unification of the RM and Romania.

July 30^th: the TMR awards “The Defender of Trans-Dniestria” and “Work Heroism” are established. Counteraction in Bendery still keeps going. Despite the work of the Joint Control Commission (JCC) of Peacekeeping Forces (PF), mine-throwers firing of the TMR troops positions still takes place. In Dubossary, the situation is calm.

August.

August 1^st: withdrawal of the RM and TMR troops begins in Bendery; positions between them are occupied by the RF PF. The JCC work is impeded by the RM delegation. There is marked an attempt to keep the conquered part of Bendery. There is calm in places of battles. It is decided to withdraw the police department of Bendery.

August 2^nd: the PF Town-Major’s Office is displaced in the building of former city department of police. It is decided to keep 50 militiamen and 50 policemen at the building in order to prevent bandits and looters. Joint inquiry groups are established, where there work the town-major M. Zhdanenia; A. Burdiuzha, fulfilling duties of the CDIA Chief, and I. Babiyko from police.

August 5^th: the Town-Major’s Office works in Bendery. Demining and people’s disarmament is made. The commandant hour is in act. In Tiraspol, the military Town-Major’s Office also acts, fulfilling the same duties.

August 6^th-8^th: demining goes on. In Bendery, gas delivery restarts.

August 9^th: the TMR Television (TV TMR) is presented, which starts to work in the decimeter-waves range.

In Tiraspol, a conference is held, headed by the President I. Smirnov. There ways of recovering of the national economy are discussed. The damage committed just in Bendery is valued in 4,3 billion rubles, in Dubossary – 800 million rubles. It is decided that civilians should hand weapons in – up to August 13^th 1992. In Bendery, the town newspaper “The New Time” restarts working.

August 14^th: in Tiraspol and other towns of the TMR, there is an inspection of combatants. The President I. Smirnov addresses with gratitude. Then there is the Victory parade. Total losses of the republic are named – more than 6 billion rubles. 120 thousand of refugees left their homes.

August 19^th: the JCC work goes on, decisions are taken regarding the line of demarcation. The RM refuses to exchange prisoners, demanding repatriation of Ilashku group.

August 20^th: The council of atamans of kazaks’ Union of Russia finishes its work. The struggle of the TMR for independence is supported, solidarity and guarantee of assistance is expressed.

August 27^th: the TMR Supreme Council session. Decision is taken to form regular Armed forces, the law “About Citizenship” is adopted. The way for protecting independence (with political methods) is confirmed.

September.

September 1^st: solemn sitting of the TMR Supreme Council, devoted to the second anniversary of the TMR establishment.

September 2^nd: the TMR Armed forces military parade, in the evening there is solemn audience in honor of holiday. In Moscow, there is the meeting of B. Yeltsin and M. Snegur, where they take decisions regarding stage-by-stage withdrawal of the 14^th Army engineering and troops; the RF agrees to take mediator’s mission in negotiations with the TMR. The TMR offers to declare Bendery a free economic zone. A plenipotentiary representative of the RF President in the TMR is appointed. No one from Trans-Dniestria takes part in negotiations.

September 11^th: regulations regarding custom control are adopted, about the TMR frontier-guard detachment, about reshaping of republic’s departments into ministries.

September 15^th: special state is in the TMR territory is cancelled.

September 17^th: the RM delegation, headed by Sangheli, comes to Tiraspol, there are discussed issues of rearranging economic relations, liquidating consequences of war; issues of refugees return are decided.

September 26^th: The TMR External affairs department adopts a document where it is indicated that the RM impedes all suggestions of the TMR regarding emergence of the peace-maintaining process. Two summits are broken down by through the fault of Moldova. The law-protecting organization “Memorial” (from Moscow) publishes a report where responsibility for the military conflict is shifted on the RM.

October.

October 2^nd-4^th: celebration of Tiraspol 200^th Anniversary. Official delegations from Russia, Belorussia, Ukraine, Gagauzia.

October 7^th: a treaty between the RM and Gagauzia is signed “About granting self-government” within narrow frames. The RM receives from the RF Ministry of Defense (MD) a half of the PTD regiment, displaced in Kishinev before. There is enforcement of the National army. The PFM newspapers appeal for unification with Romania and reconsideration of the Treaty, signed on July 21^st 1992 in Moscow.

October 14^th: the interstate conference “Trans-Dniestria yesterday, today, tomorrow” starts its work in Tiraspol. Scientists, economists, political scientists from a number of the CIS countries take part. It is decided to make the conference permanent. A joint declaration is adopted, which confirms the right of the TMR people for independence and sovereignty in conformity with international laws.

October 16^th: the RM President M. Snegur abruptly criticizes the RF for pressure upon his country because of demand to give a political statute to Trans-Dniestria. Snegur addresses to the EU, UNO, OSCE with request of assistance for withdrawal of the 14^th Army from the republic’s territory.

October 28^th: the TMR signs direct treaties with Cheliabinsk and Volgograd regions of the RF regarding cultural and economic partnership. The TMR Army press edition is created – “For Trans-Dniestria”.

October 30^th: the 1^st congress of women of Trans-Dniestria takes place, where fate-deciding problems of establishing and development of the TMR are discussed. There is adopted a number of resolutions, confirming willingness of women to defend the young republic.

November.

November 7^th: I. Smirnov has a speech on the meeting where he tells about political future of the TMR as a republic being within the RM, having authority delegated to it, and having the right for proper army, judicial and presidential power.

November 11^th, 12^th and 17^th: declarations inform that Moldova violates treaties about fire-cease – near Dubossary. The fire is opened from armored engineering.

November 24^th: the TMR Government official delegation finishes its visit to a number of regions of the Urals, Siberia, and Far East. A number of agreements regarding mutually profitable partnership. The RM takes decision about declaring economic emergency state in its territory. The TMR Government decides not to spread this state in its territory.

November 27^th: the TMR government addresses to the RF Supreme Council and government. It is indicated there, that at negotiations about the destiny of the 14^th Army, the RM delegation does not recognize the right of the TMR to be a participant of the treaty; that’s why it is decided as follows: 1) the TMR delegation will not take part in resolving the problem; 2) the TMR will demand authority as for the third official party; 3) to work out a draft statute of the RF 14^th Army in the TMR territory.

November 28^th: the RF PTD (from among the PF) are exchanged to motorized shots. Their farewell party becomes a holiday of friendship of the RF and TMR people.

December.

December 11^th: the UCWC from Trans-Dniestria adopts an appeal. It is indicated that the RM systematically and constantly organizes provocation against the RF and TMR soldiers, do not fulfill duties pledged by Moldova itself. All this is proved by facts.

December 19^th: there is the congress of Moldavians of Trans-Dniestria, headed by the Trans-Dniestria state corporate university rector V. Yakovlev. The statute is adopted, it is adopted to edit a newspaper in the Moldavian language. The course for keeping the TMR independence and sovereignty is found correct, as well as against Romanization and assimilation of Moldavian people of the TMR and RM. The statute of the RF 14^th Army in the TMR is determined – as the guarantee of Trans-Dniestrian people’s rights; a complex of measures is worked out regarding resolution of social problems and conditions of life of officers and caporals, the housing program is adopted.

December 22^nd: a big holiday circle of the Black Sea Kazak Army takes place, devoted to the anniversary of its recreation. Participants marked the role of kazaks in struggle against the RM nationalism and grated kazaks for courage. The President I. Smirnov makes an address at the TMR Supreme Council session and declared that “… after creation of the Trans-Dniestrian republican bank, the forming of bodies and structures of state power and government is over…”

During November-December there is a purposeful work directed to final forming of power structures of the TMR as the state.

Translated by Ernest A. Vardanean