Grachev, speaking at a news conference at the end of a two-day visit, said the withdrawal would begin with units "that do not affect the viability of the troops."
"During my talks with Moldovan authorities, we have cleared up the way and terms of the withdrawal," Grachev said. "The last stage is the withdrawal of soldiers and ammunition from the Tiraspol garrison."
Grachev also repeated that he would like Moldova to accept Russian military bases in the future, but his Moldovan colleague immediately ruled this out.
Grachev told reporters he had discussed with Moldovan leaders prospects for some Russian troops staying on to help keep the peace in the breakaway Transdnestr region of Moldova.
"The issue of military bases was also on the agenda, but it should be solved on the basis of a bilateral agreement," he said.
But his opposite number, Pavel Creanga, ruled out any such likelihood.
"Moldova's constitution does not allow any foreign troops to be stationed on the territory of Moldova and the matter [of Russia's bases in Moldova] cannot be resolved positively, unless the constitution is changed," Creanga said.
Speaking on Monday in Tiraspol, Grachev said the possible military base would consist of some 3,500 servicemen, united in several mobile, well-trained units.
The agreement to withdraw the 10,000-strong 14th Army stationed in Transdnestr was signed by Moldovan Prime Minister Andrei Sangheli and his Russian counterpart, Viktor Chernomyrdin, on Oct. 21, 1994.
Russia is supposed to withdraw 94,000 tons of bullets, 50,000 guns and 300 armored vehicles. The agreement has not yet been ratified by the Russian parliament.
In April, Grachev decided to reorganize the 14th Army and slash its staff, a decision resented by the officers and the Transdnestr population.
The commander of the 14th Army, Lieutenant General Alexander Lebed, resigned in protest, claiming the reorganization would lead to the plundering of army depots and an outbreak of a new military conflict in the region.
Itar-Tass reported Tuesday that military authorities have taken away Lebed's official car and bodyguards and turned off the telephone in his apartment, just three days before he was due to return to Moscow.
In remarks to reporters, Grachev rejected Lebed's warnings about the withdrawal of the 14th Army.
"The reorganization will not lead to less security for the army's ammunition, it will not lead to an increase of tension in the region," he said.
The army was sent to Moldova in 1992 to stop a war between Moldovan authorities and separatists in Transdnestr. The withdrawal of the 14th Army will be discussed at a summit in Moscow on Wednesday between President Boris Yeltsin and Moldovan President Mircea Snegur. (Reuters, AP)
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