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TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 4502
INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS STATE 106818 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OSCE PREL PGOV MD
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL:  RESPONSE TO AMBASSADOR 
REMLER, HEAD OF OSCE MISSION TO MOLDOVA 
 
¶1. (U) Post is authorized to present the following statement 
at the October 15, 2009 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna. 
 
Begin text: 
 
Thank you, Madam Chair. 
 
The United States joins other delegations in welcoming you, 
Ambassador Remler, and in thanking you for your comprehensive 
report. 
 
Since you last spoke to us, on April 23, Moldova has held a 
second round of parliamentary elections; elected a speaker of 
parliament; confirmed the speaker as acting president; 
elected a prime minister; and confirmed a government.  The 
United States welcomes these positive steps, and looks 
forward to working closely with Moldovans and their new 
government in their efforts to build a democratic and 
prosperous European state.  That government has already begun 
to take positive steps in this direction.  We take particular 
note of the thoughtful presentation delivered by the Moldovan 
Ambassador to the United Nations General Assembly on 
September 29, which highlighted Moldova,s commitment to 
progress on a settlement of the Transnistrian conflict and 
replacement of the present peacekeeping operation with a 
multinational mission under international mandate. 
 
We appreciate the OSCE Mission to Moldova,s ongoing support 
for Moldova,s constitutional processes.  The Mission rightly 
has encouraged Moldovan authorities to uphold the rule of 
law, and to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms 
encompassed by Moldova,s OSCE and international commitments. 
 As you note in your report, Ambassador Remler, the Mission 
has urged Moldovan authorities to address election-related 
concerns; discouraged politically motivated selective 
prosecutions; and called for improvements in media freedom. 
The United States strongly supports these efforts.  In 
particular, we look forward to the planned visit to Moldova 
of OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Haraszti, and 
hope his visit will further the new government,s efforts to 
implement Moldova,s OSCE commitments on media freedom. 
 
The United States also strongly supports the Mission,s 
efforts to promote a just and durable settlement to the 
Transnistria conflict -- one that respects the sovereignty 
and territorial integrity of Moldova and provides for an 
agreed status for Transnistria that upholds OSCE principles 
and commitments.  We remain committed to the renewal of 
formal negotiations in the 5 2 format -- the only 
internationally accepted mechanism for reaching a negotiated 
settlement to the conflict -- and continue to believe that 
confidence-building measures can contribute to momentum for 
the resumption of negotiations.  Accordingly, we remain 
supportive of expert-level working groups on transportation, 
health, and other practical matters, and welcome the 
Mission,s efforts to promote cooperation in the military and 
security fields.  As this work progresses, we hope access to 
Transnistria for diplomatic personnel will improve, and 
existing travel bans will be lifted. 
 
In closing, allow me to thank you and your staff, Ambassador 
Remler, and to reiterate my government,s support for your 
work.  Allow me also to reiterate my government,s commitment 
to working with Moldova and its people as the country 
continues its integration into European institutions. 
Respect for the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental 
freedoms will continue to be key elements in our relationship. 
 
Thank you, Madam Chair. 
CLINTON