FACTBOX-"FROZEN" CONFLICTS IN FORMER SOVIET STATES
Reuters AlertNet, UK
14 Sep 2006 12:59:12 GMT
Dnestr-Moldova dispute
More Sept 14 (Reuters) – Moldova’s rebel Dnestr region will hold a
referendum on Sunday to underpin its independence, first proclaimed
16 years ago but unrecognised internationally, and set down its desire
to join Russia one day.
The row between Dnestr and Moldova is one of the so-called "frozen
conflicts" among former Soviet states which killed thousands of people
in fighting in the early 1990s and threaten to erupt once again.
The issue has also soured ties between Europe and Russia, which makes
little secret that it backs the separatists.
Here are the main details on such "frozen" conflicts that are left
over from the collapse of the Soviet Union whose internal borders
were often drawn regardless of ethnic lines.
MOLDOVA:
**DNESTR. The Russian-speaking region broke away from Romanian-speaking
Moldova in 1990 and fought a war in 1992. Russian troops intervened
to stop fighting and have remained in the region ever since.
The region is home to the bulk of Moldova’s industrial
might. Authorities in Chisinau are keen to return to the region and
are offering a broad autonomy but Slav hardliners, who run Dnestr,
want full independence.
GEORGIA:
**ABKHAZIA is a territory sandwiched between the Black Sea and the
Caucasus mountains. It fought a 1992-3 war against Georgia in which
it won de facto independence but no international recognition.
It was isolated for years after its victory but it has then forged
closer ties with Russia which has given Abkhaz residents passports
and pensions.
**SOUTH OSSETIA threw off Georgian rule in fighting in the early
1990s. A ceasefire was signed but the violence has threatened to
reignite, especially since pro-Western Georgian President Mikhail
Saakashvili was elected in 2004 and vowed to reunify the country.
Russia has peacekeeping troops in South Ossetia.
The region plans a referendum on Nov. 12 to confirm its independence.
AZERBAIJAN/ARMENIA
**NAGORNO-KARAB AKH TERRITORY is part of Azerbaijan but has been
controlled by Armenian separatists since armed conflict erupted in
the 1990s.
A major pipeline linking Caspian Sea oil fields to world markets
passes a few kilometres from the conflict zone.