ESTONIA
Observers are accusing the Russian media of using disinformation to taint Estonia's image. They explain this by the desire of the Russian authorities to divert public attention from domestic political problems.
"Incomplete and often distorted information about events in Estonia is leading Russian journalists to make amusing mistakes. When they first wrote about Tonismagi Square, they called it several times Tonis Magi, apparently confusing it with the singer who was famous in the U.S.S.R.; depending on the publication, Estonian commissions on Russian transit fluctuate between 6% and 60%. (Eesti Paevaleht, April 19).
The media are concerned about Gazprom's intention to start building an underground gas depot in Europe. They view Gazprom as an instrument the Kremlin is using to tighten its grip on Europe.
"If it succeeds, Gazprom may become Europe's leader in gas production, distribution and storage. This will help Russia bring transit countries like Ukraine and Belarus to their knees without making life difficult for its 'better' and wealthier Western clients. Using gas pipelines and depots, Gazprom may choose friends on its own, thereby frustrating Europe's efforts to establish a united energy front." (Eesti Paevaleht, April 21).
Newspapers are praising the late Russian President Boris Yeltsin for helping Estonia become independent. "It is abundantly clear that the Russian-led dissolution of the U.S.S.R. paved the way for Estonia's independence. The fact that Yeltsin and the Baltic nations forged an alliance against the then Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev was the decisive factor. Trying to emulate Western politicians, Yeltsin signed an agreement in 1994 on withdrawing Russian troops, thereby opening the doors to Estonia's subsequent admission to NATO and the European Union. Estonia would not have had the chance to enter these communities if Russian troops had remained on its territory." (Postimees, April 24).
LATVIA
Russian-language publications are giving different assessments of Yeltsin's personality, admitting that he cannot be discussed without bias.
"On the one hand, Boris Yeltsin is one of the greatest politicians who ever came from the Soviet Communist Party... On the other hand, no matter what his supporters might say, he was an alcoholic buffoon who conducted an orchestra on his way to meet Bush. He was the same careless Boris who let a narrow circle of people, now referred to as oligarchs, rob Russia's riches. He was the man who ordered the bombardment of the White House [the Russian government house] - the number of victims is still unknown. He was the president who said to the Baltic rulers: 'Take as much sovereignty as you can bear.' This is exactly what they did by suppressing the rights of Russian speakers and selling Soviet property in the process." (Chas, April 24).
Commentators describe Russia's policy towards Estonia as inconsistent. They are blaming Russian government representatives for using double standards - fanning the negative image of Estonians as neo-Nazis while simultaneously concealing the tangible growth of economic ties with Estonia.
"Deputy Prime Minister [Sergei] Ivanov is urging the public to boycott Estonian dairy products and not to spend holidays in Estonia... At the same time, the Russian company Severstaltrans has announced its intention to build a jeep-making plant in the country... Russia is indeed baffling: it proudly turns down a pint of milk only to invest tens of millions of euros - that is really cool! But when Russia wants to get an easy political dividend, we hear a chorus of disapproval of Tallinn's policies. When it needs to buy or sell something, the pragmatic Estonians are praised with the same enthusiasm." (Telegraf, April 19).
LITHUANIA
The press is worried as usual about energy dependence on Russia. "The Soviet Union's geopolitical might rested on military force, which was funded by oil and gas. In today's Russia these energy resources have become the main instrument of pressure. In order to keep them in its hands, the Kremlin wants to control the country and its neighbors. It also wants to sign long-term contracts with European consumers. For the time being, Moscow is doing both. EU officials say that something should be done about Russia, but they do not know exactly what." (Lietuvos zinios, April 4).
UKRAINE
Many publications have emphasized Yeltsin's special attitude to Ukraine. "Despite its imperial ambitions, Russia was the first to get rid of the Union Treaty [1922]... Credit for this goes to Yeltsin's will and persistence... So, we should be grateful to Boris Yeltsin." (Den, April 24).
"Yeltsin gave Ukraine freedom peacefully and for free, letting it keep its missiles, the Crimea, and a seat at the UN." (From-ua, April 24).
"Yeltsin was one of Ukraine's founding fathers... When he was on the Russian throne, he was as tolerant to Ukraine as he could possibly be." (Korrespondent.net, April 24).
Some media continue writing about the recent arrests of participants in opposition rallies in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The press is calling Moscow a hostage of its own model of "managed democracy," and writes that the Kremlin will stop at nothing to stay in power, be it confrontation with the West or suppression of dissent at home. "Putin's 'fears' are rooted in the system of 'managed democracy'... Take, for instance, the new law on extremism. Human rights defenders are referring to this as 'law-making paranoia,' which has been haunting Putin because of his KGB background. The Federal Security Service is trying to burnish its reputation by showing how important it is. Its leaders understand that their influence will dwindle if they lose the elections in 2008. This is why they are conducting public campaigns to 'rescue Russia.'"
(Delovaya Stolitsa, April 23).
ARMENIA
Experts are particularly concerned about the Kremlin's position on settling the Karabakh issue. They think Moscow is interested in mothballing the conflict, which would be contrary to Armenian interests. "The Kremlin and, before them, the Winter Palace have been thinking for two centuries about one and the same thing: how to put the Armenians at loggerheads with their neighbors... There were times when Russian policy in the Caucasus was beneficial for us on the whole. But this is not the case now. Our current leaders are possessed by one thought: to keep power in their hands; and they are achieving this with Russian help. But sometimes it is necessary to consider what is happening around us... In the next few years, Georgia will become a NATO member. Sooner or later, Azerbaijan will follow suit. U.S. military strikes against Iran are almost inevitable. Under the circumstances, it is not sensible to follow Russia's instructions and try to preserve Karabakh's current status for decades... If this policy persists, nothing will be left of Karabakh." (Aravot, April 19).
GEORGIA
The press is worried about Russia's plans for Georgia. "The Putin administration wants to incite disorder and coups d'etat in Georgia and Ukraine in order to install pro-Russian forces in power there... The Kremlin's ultimate goal is clear: it wants Georgia to be ruled by forces that would follow a pro-communist ideology and conduct a pro-Russian policy. It wants to use part of the Georgian opposition forces to this end... The Russians are planning to fan the flames of ethnic strife in Samtskhe-Javakheti [a Georgian area with an Armenian population], aggravate Georgian-Azerbaijani relations, stir up socioeconomic unrest and bloody incidents in the conflict zone, increase crime, stage acts of terror and subversion, and discredit NATO in the eyes of the Georgian public." (Georgian Times, April 19 - retranslated from Russian).
The media continue writing that the West should help Georgia and protect it from Russia. "The West must help us by exerting pressure on Russia and giving us economic aid. There are millions of ways of rendering financial assistance. It is because of the West that Georgia is in such a terrible situation, so let them help us get through these difficulties." (Akhali Taoba, April 23).
AZERBAIJAN
While noting Yeltsin's achievements, the press has also been criticizing the first Russian president for his policy towards Azerbaijan. "Yeltsin was never sympathetic to Azerbaijan. Usually, he supported the Armenians. It was during his rule that the Armenians managed to win Russia's unqualified support. In 1988, Armenia was given a present of $1 billion-worth of weapons. Yeltsin's relations with the late President Heidar Aliyev were always tense, which affected bilateral relations." (Azadlyg, April 24).
The opposition media extensively covered a report by the U.S. State Department that was largely devoted to Washington's long-term diplomatic goal in former Soviet republics. "The United States has openly declared for the first time since the end of the Cold War that its priority will be to resist Russia's 'negative conduct' in many fields, from arms trading to its relations with 'unreliable regimes' in the former Soviet Union. The new report heralds another round of tensions in U.S.-Russian relations... Russia's record in democracy was sharply criticized." (Azaldyg, April 18).
KAZAKHSTAN
The press has focused on the Fourth Eurasian Media Forum. Journalists have highlighted a statement by Russian former Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov in which he expressed official support for the Iranian nuclear program and did not demand the immediate withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq.
"Right now, the United States should not suddenly withdraw its troops from Iraq. Russia is against this. But it is necessary to draw up a timetable for the withdrawal. Maybe,in the future American forces should be replaced with Arab units." (Ekpress K, April 20).
The press has been writing about the close attention Washington is paying to Moscow in view of the upcoming elections in Russia. Commentators disapprove of the U.S. plan to export democracy and the State Department's intention to give money and consultations to the candidates that it would like to occupy key positions in Russia.
"The report mentions Washington's attempts to take part in Russian law-making by lobbying at the level of regional parliaments." (Liter.kz, April 18).
KYRGYZSTAN
Having analyzed the history of bilateral relations and Russia's reaction to the March 2005 revolution, commentators are writing about Moscow's reluctance to act as a mediator between the republic's government and the opposition.
"Russia is a passive onlooker. It is interested in the success of a SCO [Shanghai Cooperation Organization] summit in Bishkek this summer, and it does not want to escalate tensions in the country." (Bishkek Times, April 20).
Comparing the experience of economic reforms in both countries, some publications are writing that Russia is behind Kyrgyzstan.
"Russia continues to spend huge sums of money on agriculture because it has lots of petrodollars. Its annual subsidy is $800 million... Kyrgyzstan cannot afford to do that, but today our agriculture is gradually recovering and our farmers are their own bosses. They are not subjected to such pressure from the state." (Agym, April 18).
UZBEKISTAN
The media are divided on Boris Yeltsin's record. "Several decades will probably have to pass before we are able to take an unbiased look at Yeltsin's rule." (Vesti.uz, April 24).
The press is trying to find out the reasons behind the lack of success of Russians who have returned to their motherland from Central Asian countries.
"Azerbaijanis, Georgians, Armenians, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and many other nationalities that have settled in Russia live together and form diasporas and other economic, ethnic and religious communities... It helps them to successfully influence the economic and social developments in the region where they live. Alas, Russians are not built that way. As a rule, they survive in a new place on their own or together with their relatives. Apparently, the reasons are rooted in their national character and the Soviet past, which strongly affected the Russian mentality." (Fergana.ru, April 18).
TAJIKISTAN
Having analyzed the Iranian-American confrontation, commentators conclude that Moscow has not withdrawn its support from Tehran. "By and large, the eastern component of Russian policy has not changed - Iran has been and remains Russia's major strategic partner in the region and the rest of the Muslim world. If Iran is attacked, Russia will not only lash out against the aggressor and demand an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, but it will also give Iran material aid and even military-technical support in the first days after the attack." (Asia-Plus, April 18).
The press maintains that the refusal of Russian companies to take part in major hydropower projects in Tajikistan will compel the country to withdraw from the Russian sphere of influence.
"If the Rusal-Tajik agreement on the Rogunskaya hydropower plant is cancelled, the most probable option will be an investment project proposed by a Pakistani-Iranian consortium... Russia has decided to sacrifice its economic and geostrategic interests in Tajikistan, thereby pushing it to form closer partnerships with its southern neighbors. Incidentally, though it is losing Tajikistan as a financially and economically dependent partner, Russia has not found an adequate replacement. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are also building relations not only with Russia but also with China, the United States and other major international investors." (Asia-Plus, April 18).
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