ESTONIA
Newspapers are sarcastically commenting on the victory of United Russia in the regional elections. They believe that a one-party system has taken root in Russia, and that the elections are under the Kremlin's strict control. "Elections in many Russian regions have been orchestrated by the Kremlin." (Eesti Paevaleht, March 12.) "The trend is obvious - one ruling party and an almost extinct opposition." (Postimees, March 13.)
The media are enthusiastic about a proposal by German Minister of Education Annette Schavan to issue a common history textbook for the European Union countries because it will deprive the Kremlin of its ability to use history as a political weapon. "Estonian politicians have already observed that the proposed publication would reduce to zero the Kremlin's attempts to brand Estonia as a Nazi state... Western Europe's view of the Red Army is not entirely positive." (Postimees, March 7.)
LATVIA
Commentators perceive the competition between United Russia and A Just Russia as the Kremlin's skillful attempt to create a semblance of democracy. "The opposition parties had to come to terms with their heavy defeat. There are plans to repeat the same scenario during the parliamentary election in December and the presidential election in March 2008. This fact testifies to the deliberate destruction of democracy in Russia... The elections have demonstrated the Kremlin's powers over the ‘multi-party' system that it has created and keeps under tight control, while President Vladimir Putin continues to develop his ‘sovereign democracy'... The real opposition parties have been successfully removed from the race in these elections... Their results make it clear that after the elections to the State Duma, the parliament will be controlled by the Kremlin, while the new president, if the old one does not decide to stay on for a third term, will be elected by the current authorities, and the voters will have no choice." (Diena, March 13.)
Experts believe that Russia's sharp response to the United States' plan to deploy anti-ballistic missile (ABM) systems in eastern Europe was to be expected. "The deployment of American military facilities in the former Soviet Union will only further anger Russia, which has recently been very irritated with the U.S. intention to deploy ABM facilities in NATO members, specifically Poland and the Czech Republic... No doubt, Moscow will perceive the installation of American military facilities in the Caucasus as an even greater provocation." (Diena, March 3.) "The old Europe is resisting the U.S. dictate and no longer wants to let America deploy its ABM systems on its territory. Of the new members, only Poland is ready to accept everything, including missile facilities, and not so much to please the U.S. as to hurt Russia." (Chas, March 13.)
LITHUANIA
The press has lashed out at Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus for advising the Latvian and Estonian leaders to grant citizenship to their Russian-speaking compatriots without an exam. The media believe that this scandal can only worsen relations between the Baltic nations and give the Kremlin a new excuse to criticize the situation in the region. "These words from Valdas Adamkus could be written off as a misunderstanding. However, let us recall that as if acting on the Kremlin's behalf, he recently declared that Estonia should show more flexibility in resolving the problem of Soviet soldiers' graves and the removal of their monument from downtown Tallinn. There are too many misunderstandings." (Respublika, March 8.) "This statement by Valdas Adamkus has dealt a heavy blow to Baltic unity. But his representatives deny that the president has given the Kremlin yet another propaganda weapon to use against its next-door neighbors." (Respublika, March 9.)
UKRAINE
Some media have been discussing the deployment of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in the Crimea in the context of the future presidential elections in Russia. "Aspirants to Putin's position have already started playing the customary ‘Ukrainian card.' The key theme is the Black Sea Fleet's status and property." (Gazeta po-kievsky, March 12.)
ARMENIA
The media have focused on the parliamentary elections slated for May. Experts observe that in the context of the tense relations between Russia and the West, the big countries will redouble their efforts to attract Armenian political parties to their side. Under the circumstances, Russia is expected to do all it can to preserve the political status quo in Armenia. "Russia, the United States, Europe, and Iran are not only very closely following our domestic political situation on the eve of the elections, but are trying to win over to their side as many political leaders and parties as they can - both from the pro-government and opposition camps." (Iravunq, March 6.)
GEORGIA
Numerous publications point out that Georgia wants to join NATO in order to get rid of Russian pressure. Analysts believe that a partnership with Russia is altogether unthinkable. "NATO entry is an opportunity to strengthen national defense and move away from Russia." (Akhali Taoba, March 12.) "The choice is not that difficult - either the West or the North... Neither our historical experience nor the existing reality leaves us any chances to look to the North... So, we are moving to NATO, and this is a historical necessity." (Mteli kvira, March 12.)
Experts are worried by a report that the Russian Security Council is preparing a new military doctrine. "In a clash of camels, Georgia may be smashed like a colt because it is quite possible that the United States and Russia will again come to terms at our expense. Although the new Russian military doctrine is top secret, its general spirit is well known - an adequate response to the actions of impudent NATO... Georgia has already become a testing ground for all kinds of experiments and is likely to become one of the main theaters of this confrontation." (Sakartvelos Respublica, March 10.)
AZERBAIJAN
The media are alarmed over the mounting Russian-U.S. confrontation, which is fraught with negative consequences for Azerbaijan. "When listing countries from the so-called Axis of Evil that are a source of concern for the U.S. government, new Defense Secretary Robert Gates started with Russia. Some may think that it is too early to speak about the start of a new Cold War, but there is no denying the fact that tensions between the U.S. and Russia have been growing. This is not merely a verbal war... It is easy to predict that the new geopolitical storm will not miss Azerbaijan even hypothetically." (Echo, March 2.)
The press continues to be worried about the passage of a new migration law in Russia. "Why does Russia need a law on migration?... The ousting of Azerbaijanis from Russia's markets and retail stores is a warning to Azerbaijan that economics and politics are interlinked. Putin and his entourage think that the 2.5 million Azerbaijanis working and earning money in Russia should guarantee their country's loyalty to Russia's policy of countering the West, the United States, and NATO in the South Caucasus." (Nash vek, March 9.)
KAZAKHSTAN
The media are concerned over the condition of the Baikonur space center. "The missile-launch sites that were in service here for a long time have been neglected. The facilities built on top of them have been robbed. Although it is possible to try to restore them, Russia has chosen the downhill road, and has been writing off masses of equipment and buildings as passed their service life. As a result, the space port is increasingly turning into a garbage heap and scrap yard. The town is a mess. Russia has not built even basic amenities for the locals. Meanwhile, foreign tourists and scientists continue to visit this place. What impression will they get of Russian cosmonautics?" (Aikyn, March 3.)
The media believe that the intention to deploy a radar in a South Caucasian republic, which was voiced by Henry Obering, director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, testifies to American preparations for a strike on Iran. Observers think that having lost its levers of influence on Baku, Moscow is not capable of preventing the deployment of American military facilities on its southern border. "U.S.-Azerbaijani cooperation will not come under threat because of Russia's discontent. The Azerbaijani government is not likely to change its course even if Moscow decides to punish Baku by requiring visas for its citizens, building up its troops in Armenia, or blocking supplies of Azerbaijani oil to Novorossiisk." (Delovaya nedelya, March 8.)
UZBEKISTAN
Russia has failed to make Uzbekistan increase its gas supplies through Gazprom's export channels. Tashkent continues to be dissatisfied with Gazprom's performance. In addition, China is competing with Russia in Central Asia - it has offered its own project for transporting Caspian gas via the Great Silk Road.
"Uzbekistan believes that Gazprom is dragging out the development of gas deposits in the republic... It is not content with the time frames and the scale of investment of two of Gazprom's three projects. The investment was supposed to be $300 million, but for the time being it only amounts to $30 million." (Musulmansky Uzbekistan, March 7.)
"Several factors are at work here - the scary prospect of a gas shortage on the Russian domestic market by 2011, the desire of former Soviet countries that do not produce gas to get more of the cheap Central Asian blend through Gazprom's pipe, and the prospect of a gas OPEC... The Uzbeks are happy about LUKoil's performance in their country, but have made complaints against Gazprom." (Musulmansky Uzbekistan, March 9.)
TAJIKISTAN
The media are closely following Russia's relations with Central Asian countries. They have paid attention to tensions between Gazprom and the Uzbek authorities. "During his official visit to Tashkent, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov again had to deal with Gazprom's problems. The Uzbek side has accused Gazprom of failing to honor its commitment to invest in Uzbek gas production, and made off-the-record threats to stop exports to Russia... For the time being, Uzbekistan has not made any attempts to re-orient its gas exports, but it is perfectly clear that if gas prices continue their steep climb, Ukraine, China, and Iran may ask Uzbekistan for gas. In the latter case, the flow of gas through pipelines in Uzbekistan will have to be reversed. This seems to have been the gist of Uzbekistan's threats to Russia and Gazprom in Tashkent." (Asia-Plus, March 9.)
RIA Novosti is not responsible for the content of outside sources.
