TRANSDNIESTER CLOSES OSCE BRANCH OFFICE, BANS MISSION CHIEF.

Transdniester "state secretary" Valery Litskay yesterday made public a letter to the OSCE’s Permanent Mission to Moldova, notifying it that its branch office in Tiraspol is being closed until further notice and banning Mission Chief Donald Johnson, a U.S. diplomat, from entering Transdniester-controlled territory. The letter presents these moves as a response to the Mission’s recent report to the OSCE Permanent Council. (See Monitor, March 5, 10) It describes the report as "prejudiced" and "interfering in [Transdniester’s] internal affairs." (Itar-Tass, Basapress, March 11)

Baku, Yerevan Statements Highlight Karabakh Impasse.