ESTONIA
The press enthusiastically writes about the anti-communist resolution passed by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recently. It quotes both Estonian politicians approving of it, and Russian political scientists denouncing it. "Russian deputies are wrong in thinking that the resolution is aimed against Russia. This was not the intention of those who drafted the document, because the Russian people have probably suffered the most from the crimes of the communist regime. Russian deputies seem unable to honestly review all the facts of Russian history." (Postimees, January 27.)
"It is easy to see what PACE is after. Russia is the successor of the Soviet Union. The resolution creates ideological prerequisites for claims against Russia... It will help strengthen undemocratic post-Soviet regimes in Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, and Ukraine, which rely on anti-communist ideology. But communism does not pose any threat to the world order today, and the PACE resolution addresses to the past". (Eesti Paevaleht, January 26.)
A number of publications write about the importance of good relations with Russia, and refer to Finnish foreign policy as an example for Estonian leaders. "Finland understands that relations with Russia should not always go via Brussels. They see the need for friendly bilateral relations. Perhaps, the Estonian leaders will eventually realize that Brussels is not the father-figure to whom they can run crying about the Estonian-Russian border agreement. This does not mean that events in Russia should be ignored. But there is a big difference between high-sounding populist foreign policy slogans in the election campaign, and a realistic foreign policy of the government." (Postimees, January 31.)
LATVIA
The fact that the mention of the U.S.S.R. was deleted from the PACE declaration has been qualified by the local Russian-language press as a failure of the anti-Russian plot. "This brought on the despair of the Baltic deputies who were trying to spite Russia with this anti-communist resolution. They wanted to use this document to make Russia pay compensation for the occupation. But after the document was edited, the anti-Russian plot fell through. Now even the Russian delegation, with the possible exception of communists, can easily vote for such a diplomatic resolution." (Vesti segodnya, January 25.)
Commenting on the recent espionage scandal and Moscow's accusations of British agents' involvement in the funding of Russian non-government organizations (NGOs), the national press repeats its favorite thesis about the lack of independence of the Russian government bodies. "The Russian State Duma, which has become a blind instrument of the Kremlin, passing bills the President requires, and even compiling some of these, had a moment of joy yesterday. At least three Lower House Committees rushed to draft resolutions on spies and organizations that receive foreign funding ." (Neatcariga rita avize, January 26.)
LITHUANIA
The media continue writing about the explosion of a gas pipeline in North Ossetia last week, which left Georgia without gas for several days, and had a negative effect on Russian-Georgian relations. But this time the press is more cautious, and admits that Tbilisi was too quick to accuse Russia, and did it for propaganda purposes. "These scandals reveal a major trend in world diplomacy... Lithuania could learn from the example of Georgia, whose leaders have more than once taken advantage even of events that did not seem to promise them anything good... Reaction of Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili was spontaneous. He accused the Kremlin of deliberate subversion. The day after the world press again lashed out at Russia for a crude attempt to return its great power status by using energy blackmail... But were the accusations justified this time? Several days after the explosion, it became clear that Georgia did not have the slightest evidence to buttress the accusations." (Lietuvos Rytas, January 26.)
The press voices an opinion that the "strange" Russian-British spy scandal might have been meant less as a warning to the West as to Russian democrats. " 'Many will see now why Russia has adopted the new law to regulate non-government organizations' activities,' said President Vladimir Putin. His words came as an unexpected explanation why Moscow staged its so-called British espionage show this week for Russia and the whole world to see. <...> The President did not mean his words for the West. They came as a warning to the Russian public, especially to activists who even now attempt to defend democracy." (Lietuvos Rytas, January 28.)
UKRAINE
The press is concerned that the European response to the siphoning off of Russian gas by Ukraine may further weaken Kiev's positions in dialog with Moscow. "Europe may open a second front against the Ukrainians, for the time being only in the sphere of information. Previously, only Gazprom accused Ukraine of stealing gas, but now Italy has followed suit... Italy was the first European country to criticize the Ukrainian government. Now that Europe confirmed that Ukraine had taken more gas than it had paid for, Gazprom has been given a trump card that allows it to put pressure on Russia's former vassals. Italian support came very handy for Russia." (Obozrevatel, January 31.)
Some publications blame the Kremlin for trying to find new ways of exerting pressure on Ukraine. The media unanimously describe Russia's ban on imports of Ukrainian livestock products as continuation of trade and economic war between Moscow and Kiev. "The press service of the Agrarian Ministry reports that Moscow conducted several top-level meetings to decide how to meet the Ukrainian Agrarian Minister Aleksander Baranivsky, and to prevent talks on lifting the ban on Ukrainian livestock exports to Russia." (Korrespondent. net, January 30.)
MOLDOVA
An article by Boris Asarov, chairman of the Transdnestr Pro Europa Association, in a pro-Romanian publication, has become another accusation against Valery Pasat, former Moldavian defense minister and advisor to RAO UES of Russia, who was recently sentenced to a 10-year prison term. He accused Pasat of high treason, notably, of transferring a list of names of Moldavian agents to Russian and Transdnestr security services, and of trading other state secrets. The publication describes Pasat as an FSB resident, who was trying to stage a coup d'etat in Moldova in order to subjugate it to Russia. "The plan was to establish control over the chief government institutions and power structures with the help of agents trained using Russian money. The role of the so-called "CIS observers" was to promote chaos by killing representatives of law and order." (Flux, January 27.)
ARMENIA
The media describe a statement by the press secretary of the Armenian President on Russian gas tariffs as Yerevan's resolve to exercise tough control over the gas pipeline under construction. "The new approach of the Armenian political leadership confirms that Yerevan is not ready to play the energy game on Moscow's terms... There is little doubt that Armenia will prefer to accept Russia-dictated gas prices than to yield its right to partial control over the gas pipeline under construction." (Novoye vremya, January 26.)
Possible transit of Iranian gas to Europe via Armenia has moved to the fore in the debates on Armenian gas problems. "Armenia must demand that Iranian gas should go to Europe via its territory. If we remain only Iranian gas consumers, we will not be able to enhance our security... We must demand a change in the diameter of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline from 700 mm to 1,100 mm... There may never be a better moment for that because Europe is also looking for an alternative to Russian gas." (Aravot, January 27.)
Assessing the prospects of energy cooperation with Iran, analysts write that Tehran may use Armenia's dependence on its gas as a stake in its confrontation with the West. "Armenia may do better by buying expensive Russian gas than the cheap one from Iran... Russia is very cautious in using Armenia's gas dependence so as not to irritate the West again. Iran is very different in this respect, and does not care about world public opinion. Therefore, using Armenia's gas dependence, Iran may turn it into a 'shakhid' in its confrontation with the U.S. and the West as a whole." (Aikanan Zhamanak, January 31.)
GEORGIA
The republican media blame Russia for explosions on gas pipelines and the energy system last month that left the country without gas and electricity for days, though journalists also criticize the Georgian authorities for failing to preclude the crisis. "If [president] Saakashvili thinks that Russia is trying to force us on our knees by cutting off gas and electricity, he should have prepared for this eventuality." (Akhali taoba, January 30.)
Experts predict complications in relations with the West over the authorities' intention to cooperate with Iran. Some say that Russia encouraged Georgia-Iran energy cooperation in order to compromise Georgia in the West. "Georgia may be drawn into a political scandal. Iran has put itself against the international community. To ensure the resumption of gas deliveries, we should stop criticizing Russia without reason and hold constructive peace talks instead. We have no alternative in the current situation and therefore should spotlight a quick restoration of the damaged gas pipeline. Russia has pushed us towards Iran, drawing us into a trap, and we have risen to the bait too easily." (Rezonansi, January 27 and 31.)
AZERBAIJAN
The visit of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov to Azerbaijan is presented as an open attempt to overtake the United States in the growing confrontation of the two states in the South Caucasus and the Caspian region.
The press carries statements by political scientist Sulkhaddin Akper, president of the Azerbaijan-Atlantic Cooperation association, who thinks that the U.S., Iran and Russia are waging a secret war for influence in Azerbaijan: "The leaders of Azerbaijan will wait to see who wins this battle, and will side with the winner. I believe that the U.S. will take the upper hand over Russia. Azerbaijan will have to make a strategic choice this year, or else it will be forced to do it." (Yeni Musavat, January 25.)
The press criticizes Russian policy in Eurasec, which allegedly runs contrary to the economic interests of Azerbaijan and other former Soviet states. The Kremlin "regards integration within regional organizations only as an instrument of strengthening Russia's economic stand. Many people are concerned about the aggressive policy of President Vladimir Putin aimed at regaining the economic spheres of influence in the former Soviet territory. Russia has practically forced Belarus and Kyrgyzstan to their knees and is pursuing the same policy with regard to Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. Two powerful structures - RAO UES of Russia and Gazprom - are suing the electricity and gas debts of their CIS colleagues to take over their enterprises. They are using electricity and gas deliveries to gain control over independent states." (Zerkalo, January 27.)
KAZAKHSTAN
The opposition media criticize Moscow's foreign policy, which supports authoritarian regimes in Central Asia. "Russia's current imperial policy, which is trying to return the region into the sphere of its national interests, was hatched in the Foreign Intelligence Service, some experts say. Russia could not allow itself to leave the region without close attention and patronage. President Putin is openly supports authoritarian regimes in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. A vivid example is the mobile group of CIS observers led by (chairman of the CIS Executive Committee Vladimir] Rushailo, which readily recognized the elections of Nazarbayev and Turkmenbashi as fully democratic." (Azat, January 27.)
A meeting of Roscosmos head Anatoly Perminov with Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov rekindled interest in the two countries' problems in space exploration that flared up when Russia postponed the launch of the Kazakh KazSat communications satellite. "By all appearances, Astana does not trust the Kremlin's promises any more because it approved the plan not for 12 months, as usual, but only for the first quarter. In fact, Kazakhstan has reserved the right to veto all launches from Baikonur if Russia does not keep its word again to launch the satellite by June 20." (Kompromat.kz, January 27.)
KYRGYZSTAN
The spotlight was on the visit of Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller to Kyrgyzstan and his talks with the republican leaders on oil and gas cooperation. The memorandum of intent to create a joint oil and gas venture signed by Prime Minister Felix Kulov and Alexei Miller is viewed as "the most optimal cooperation mechanism that would allow Gazprom to launch an investment program in Kyrgyzstan." (Kabar, January 26.)
The media also quote the Gazprom CEO as saying that "after the exploration stage the JV will get down to field development, the production and transportation of oil and gas, as well as the creation of underground oil and gas storage tanks." (Gazeta.KG, January 27.)
UZBEKISTAN
The EurAsEC summit in St. Petersburg is treated by the media as the central event of the week. Government publications quote positive official statements on the organization's prospects for enlargement. The press emphasizes Russia's leading role in the organization and the importance of promising joint projects. The opposition press expresses doubts that the Uzbek president will fulfill his obligations and predicts a conflict between two EurAsEC members, Russia and Kazakhstan. "Will Karimov honor his written commitments? To comply with the EurAsEC's major goal of creating a single economic space, Uzbekistan will have to open its borders for the free movement of goods and capital and create a market economy, which would inevitably weaken the Karimov regime or even cause its collapse. Russian government is clearly trying to transform the EurAsEC into an imperial structure under its control, which Kazakhstan with its economy currently on the rise is unlikely to accept. (Musulmansky Uzbekistan, January 27.)
TAJIKISTAN
The local media cover the traditional subject of relations between Iran and Tajikistan. Journalists believe a multiple-vector policy would free Tajikistan from its dependence on one country, namely Russia. "The Iranian component in Tajikistan's policy would enable the Tajik government to diversify its foreign policy... Maintaining relations with Russia as a major world power, with Kazakhstan as the Central Asian economic leader, with Iran as a Farsi-speaking country, and China as a powerful member of the SCO - this foreign policy could secure Tajikistan against the loss of its sovereignty" (Vecherni Dushanbe, January 27.)
The press is concerned about Russia's vague position on the submission of Iran's nuclear dossier to the UN Security Council. "The nuclear power plant in Bushehr, which is being built jointly with Russia, was to be commissioned in December 2004. However, bowing to pressure from the West, Russia has extended the deadline. Moscow keeps changing its position from supporting Iran to siding with the West or the United States... The use of force would affect stability and peace in the region" (Millat, January 26.)
