MOLDOVA.

 Information about the disappearance from the stores of Russia's 14th Army deployed in Moldova of tactical missiles with nuclear blast simulators is vigorously exploited in an information campaign against the presence of Russian peace-keepers in Transdnestr (a non-recognized republic in Moldova). "It is necessary immediately to organize an international inspection of Russian armaments depots in Transdnestr and also to resume and wind up in the shortest time possible the process of pulling out the armaments." (Infotag, April 29).

A Ukrainian plan for settling the Transdnestrian conflict, at the center of attention of the media, is being sharply criticized for lacking crucial points for Chisinau on the need to alter the negotiating format and immediately to withdraw Russian troops from the region. "Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko has submitted a Russian, rather than his own, plan. His proposals also reflect the position of those Ukrainian circles that have interests in Transdnestr." (Timpul, April 29).

It is noted that Moldovan wine-makers are managing to keep their positions on the Russian market despite unfavourable forecasts that appeared at the beginning of the year. "They retained in the first quarter of the year their 60-per cent quota in wine products sold on the Russian market, contrary to forecasts by experts who predicted a 4% reduction in the import of Moldovan wines." (BASA-press, April 26).

UKRAINE

The sceptical attitude of the press to the Russian president's annual address to the Federal Assembly of Russia is becoming a dominant theme when covering Russian topics. Putin's words are disbelieved by the mass media which are convinced of the authoritarian nature of Kremlin policy. "The world knows: the more members of the Russian establishment talk about democracy, freedom and human rights, the worse the situation is in Russia as regards filling these theoretical abstractions with real content." (Lvivska Gazeta, April 27).

The media criticize a ruling of the Kiev court of justice according to which shares in the Zaporozhye aluminum works, currently owned by Russia's SUAL-Holding, must be returned to the Ukrainian state. "Just over a month has passed since Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko had a meeting with top managers of leading Russian corporations, at which he promised to create a good investment climate for Russian business. But the following steps taken by the Ukrainian authorities proved the direct opposite to what was declared by its president." (Expert-Tsentr, April 27).

ESTONIA

Russian media highlighted news that a monument to Nazis will be unveiled in Tallinn on the 60th anniversary of victory. The reply given by representatives of authorities and the Estonian press was, contrary to expectations, restrained. "News that a monument will be unveiled to soldiers who fought in German uniforms is wrong. The round date will be marked as a day of reconciliation." (Delfi, April 27).

In this connection, however, the thesis about Russia's propaganda war against the Baltics is back again in Estonia's information field. "Wars end twice: the first time when guns go silent, the second when the warring sides make it up". (Postimees, April 27).

The media see in the Russian president's Middle East tour an attempt by the Kremlin to play the Muslim card with maximum effect in a dispute with the U.S. for spheres of influence. "Israel was unambiguously given to understand whom it should take seriously apart from its Yankee friends ... Running through all Putin's visit is one thought - in the ever growing confrontation between Christian and Muslim faiths Russia is trying to make the maximum use of the Muslim camp to reduce the influence of other superpowers, the U.S. above all." (Parnu Postimees, May 3).

The Russian president's annual address to the Federal Assembly has been received critically by the press. "Putin ... is going to continue 'senior brother' policy at the state level, calling it this time 'the civilizing mission of the Russian people on the Eurasian continent'" . Parnu Postimees, April 27).

LATVIA

The main theme of the week is the adoption by the Latvian government of a unilateral declaration to the border treaty with Russia, which stipulates for the republic the possibility of returning to the territorial issue of Abrene (a district in Russia's Pskov region). "Latvia's one-sided declaration has no future. Such documents can be adopted by states that enjoy international support, which we are lacking." (Neatkariga Rita Avise, April 29).

"This step by the Latvian Foreign Ministry was most likely encouraged by a recent NATO summit in Vilnius. This cozy little gathering discussed Russophobic proposals in Russia's absence." (Vesti-Segodnya, May 2).

In discussing the Russian president's annual address to the Federal Assembly, the media say that it was the first time that Putin had openly sympathized with the imperial idea. "The closer the end of the rule, the more positive the assessments of the deceased empire [USSR]." (Diena, April 27).

A commentary is published in which the Russian youth movement Nashi (organized by authorities, among others) is described as extremist. "Identifying any dissident as an enemy is an element of totalitarian thinking. Unqualified backing for the 'leader' and approving the use of force as the main instrument of political struggle are traits characteristic of fascism." (Diena, April 28).

LITHUANIA

A statement by the State Duma of Russia in which Lithuania is advised to give up the lands that were added to it under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Treaty in 1939-1941 was described by Lithuanian politicians as a revenge for accusing Russia of "occupying" the Baltics. "Such claims could even be called interference in Lithuania's sovereignty." (Letuvos Ritas, April 29).

Putin's visit to Israel and Palestine, widely covered by the media, is estimated as unsuccessful. "Putin's visit is unlikely to become historic. The role of the main player in this region is gone for Russia." (Litovskaya Narodnaya Gazeta, April 30).

The media point to Russia's growing imperial ambitions, citing Putin's statement that the disintegration of the USSR was the biggest geopolitical disaster of the last century. "Many citizens of the former USSR would rather say that they consider the creation of the Soviet Union the greatest disaster." (Respublika, May 2).

GEORGIA

The media explain the solution of the issue concerning a timeframe for the withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia by the West's increased pressure. "Withdrawal of Russian bases from Georgia is an undoubted interest of the U.S., for which it pays money." (Alia, May 3).

The press is again concentrating on an undesirable prospect for Georgia - location of Russian military bases in Abkhazia (a self-proclaimed republic on Georgian territory) to preserve its control over Georgia.

"Abkhazia is not within Georgia de facto, but de jure it is our territory. And this means that Russia has no right to move its bases from Georgia to Abkhazia." (Khvalindeli Dge, April 28).

The Russian president's address to the Federal Assembly was received as Putin's open commitment to the idea of an empire. "The disintegration of the USSR was the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century," Putin says in his address. "It is impossible to be friends with a person who is displeased with what pleases you." (Rezonansi, May 3).

AZERBAIJAN

Ahead of elections to the Azeri parliament, Russia is criticised for interfering in Azerbaijan's internal affairs. "This power, or rather its analysts, has begun gradually to form some political blocs in Azerbaijan, which will naturally include pro-Russian politicians." (Zerkalo, April 30).

The media treat the Chisinau summit of GUUAM (Georgia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova) as a crushing blow to Russia's positions in the post-Soviet space. "U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice described Alexander Lukashenko as Europe's last dictator, and backed the Belarussian opposition. And President Bush is going to pay a visit to Georgia. This stand taken by the U.S. caused Russia to fall into a state of geopolitical paranoia, and Putin is making persistent attempts to save CIS from collapse. But a CIS summit on May 8 in Moscow is expected to mark the organization's disintegration or its disbandment." (Yeni Musavat, April 27).

The media view a ban on Azeri vessels with cargoes for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline to pass through the Volga-Don Canal as an anti-Azeri action. "The problem is getting serious, considering that May is the deadline for putting the pipeline in operation. The impression is gathered that some forces in Russia are specially throwing a monkey wrench into the works." (Zerkalo, April 28).

ARMENIA

The press is focusing on measures dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. The media inform their readers of numerous actions held in different cities and towns of Russia, and quote statements by Russian politicians. "The Russian capital has never before marked the anniversary of the Armenian genocide on such a scale. The country's media, too, paid much attention to the event. Articles and TV reports were exclusively pro-Armenian and condemned the Turks ... The genocide issue from a lament is growing into a political demand, which can be backed by a considerable proportion of Russian public opinion." (Azg, April 27).

An interview is published with A.Litvinenko, a former member of Russia's FSB, who accuses Russia of organizing the shooting of the Armenian parliament. "The shooting of the parliament of Armenia on October 27, 1999 was organized by Russian secret services, or more exactly by the Russian military intelligence service GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate) ... With a view to achieving some political tasks the Russian secret services often carry out such sabotage ... The peace process was not developing under Russian control, which pushed the Russian secret services to mount this special operation in the Armenian parliament." (Azg, April 30).

KAZAKHSTAN

An argument about Kazakhstan's right as the leader of the Central Asian region to pursue a policy equally independent of Moscow and Washington is elaborated in a commentary by an American expert on Kazakhstan M.Ryvkin. "Kazakhstan today is the regional leader in most fields: economic development, political reforms, society's role in the state's life ... In view of Kazakhstan's established role in the region, today's strategic interests of Russia and the U.S. in Kazakhstan coincide, and so both states will most likely seek to preserve stability in the country ... Despite the country's gravitation towards Russia, Kazakhstan is also experiencing a strong attraction 'to Western values'." (KZ-today, April 29).

The thesis about a crisis of Russian authority is gaining increasing acceptance. "Anti-Putin movements are springing up in the regions uniting Communists, pensioners, nationalists and liberals. This explosive wave has been generated by revolutions in Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan ... The authorities are in a panic." (Kompromat.kz, April 29).

A number of Kazakh public leaders are quoted as saying that the growth of neo-fascist sentiments in Kazakhstan is explained by Russia's negative influence. "With Nazi trends getting active among youth in Russia, we see their offshoots cropping up here as well." (Liter.Kz, April 29).

KYRGYZSTAN

The media are making a serious reexamination of Moscow's role in Kyrgyzstan's political future. "Russia, by virtue of its weakness, will not be able to protect us from possible new terrorist claims from China. Uzbekistan is coveting the country's southern part, Kazakhstan its northern ... Kyrgyzstan needs to make a choice and pull out of the existing collective treaty organizations and opt for a strategic partnership with the U.S. or NATO." (Gazeta.kg, May 1).

Russia's stand on March events in Kyrgyzstan is now seen as evidence of Moscow's inability to ensure stability in the region. "The Kremlin's present 'world-view uncertainty' is leading to the practically unrestricted cultivation of 'ideological virgin soil' and the triumphal march of the 'world sheriff' [U.S.] through CIS expanses." (Gazeta.kg, May 2).

Ahead of presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan the press is raising the issue of a 'Kremlin candidate'. "The image of F.Kulov (a politician and one of the key figures in March events who aligned with the then opposition) correlates in the voters' minds with the image of Vladimir Putin, although a considerable part of the respondents identify also the image of Prime Minister and Acting President K.Bakiyev with that of the Russian president. This circumstance, however, is rather the consequence of the fact that following Akayev's resignation Bakiyev was in constant touch with the Russian president." (Agym, April 29).

UZBEKISTAN

Taking the situation in Kyrgyzstan as an example, the media are stating the fallacy of the American tactic of "exporting revolutions", claiming that this is the first time after a series of heavy defeats in the post-Soviet space that Russia has succeeded in not losing to the U.S. "Following Georgia and Ukraine Russia watched U.S. moves in silence and with attention. It is not inconceivable that American secret diplomacy may have won a Pyrrhic victory. As for Russia, it now has the chance to reinforce its influence in the republic." (Musulmansky Uzbekistan, April 27).

A wide range of views is published concerning Russia's position during the political crisis in Kyrgyzstan, but in all of them the commentators note that both for Uzbek President Islam Karimov and for the opposition this opens up the possibility of playing on Moscow-Washington contradictions. At the same time, further emphasis is given to the argument, which has gained popularity in neighbouring Kyrgyzstan recently, that Russia's Central Asia policy is irresponsible.

TAJIKISTAN

Media attention is riveted to the situation surrounding the arrest in Dushanbe of Democratic Party of Tajikistan leader M.Iskandarov, who was earlier granted political asylum in Russia. The story is promulgated that his abduction in Russia and transportation to Dushanbe were arranged by Russian secret services by agreement with Tajikistan's authorities. "Iskandarov was specially released in Moscow in order to demonstrate to the world community the humanness of the Russian side with regard to the man, and then, on the basis of informal understandings and within the framework of concrete interests, Moscow decided to help with his detention and extradition to Dushanbe." (Avesta, April 27).

The Democratic Party of Tajikistan has published an appeal to Vladimir Putin, asking him "to restore the primacy of law with regard to Iskandarov." (Avesta, May 3).

Tajikistan's prosecutor-general B.Bobokhonov expressed hope for an early extradition from Russia of another opponent of President Rakhmonov's regime - ex-Tajikspotrebsoyuz head K.Nasrullayev, who has seven criminal cases opened against him, including one accusing him of participation in bandit groups, killing and high treason. (Tajikistan.com, April 27).