In telephone interviews on 15 and 18 April 1997, a professor in the department of government at Georgetown University in Washington, who specializes in southeastern European politics and governments and who was last in Moldova in August 1996 conducting field research, provided the following information. The Chisinau authorities would not hinder the movement of Moldovan citizens who desire to relocate in the Transdniester Republic. The border between Moldova and the Transdniester Republic is jointly patrolled by Moldovan, Transdniesteran and Russian troops that are an official tripartite peacekeeping force; the force members do not act as border guards and normally do not interfere with the movement of people across the border. However, Trandniesteran troops that are not a component of the peacekeeping force act as de facto border guards and may impose custom duties, and may harass or threaten those attempting to enter the Transdiester Republic from Moldova. As the Transdniesteran troops (that are not peacekeepers) do not permit unrestricted border crossing, access to the Transdniester Republic may be problematic. If a person were admitted into the Transdniester Republic, the attainment of accommodation would depend upon the acquisition of a residence permit.

For additional information on travel between Moldova and the Transdniester Republic, please consult section 2 d. of pages 1040 and 1041 of Country Reports 1996, which is available at Regional Documentation Centres.

For information on the political status of the Transdniester Republic and on whether the cease-fire of July 1992 has been maintained, please consult the second paragraph of page 1037 of Country Reports 1996. For information on the position of the new Moldovan president towards Transdniesteran autonomy, and on negotiations between Moldova and the Transdniester Republic, please consult the attachments.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Georgetown University, Washington. 18 April 1997. Telephone interview with professor of government.

_____. 15 April 1997. Telephone interview with professor of government.

The Associated Press (AP). 5 January 1997. "Ukrainian, Moldovan Presidents Meet to Discuss Separatist Problem." (NEXIS)

_____. 2 December 1996. Natasha Angheli. "Moldova's New President...." (NEXIS)