Voronin told the radio station "Ekho Moskvy" that Russian troops have played out their role and should now be replaced by civilian observers.
Voronin was speaking on the sidelines of an informal gathering of leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Moscow. Discussions at the two-day meeting were expected to focus on reforming the CIS. The problems that the group faces were underlined by the decision by leaders of the 12 member states not to attend.
(AFP, Interfax, ITAR-TASS)