ESTONIA
The press sees the inclusion of the issue of the Russian-Estonian border treaty in the agenda of the EU foreign ministers' meeting as a small diplomatic victory for Estonia. However, ahead of the meeting the media were cautious in their forecasts about the European Union's willingness to support Estonia. "We fear minor disagreements among EU member states during the discussion, of which Russia may take advantage." (Eesti Paevaleht, July 18.)
Moscow's unwillingness to accept EU mediation to settle the border issue led to harsh anti-Russian statements in the press. "We consider the incumbent foreign minister and the Russian president our enemies. The latter is not excused even by his scandalous illiteracy in terms of history, including the history of Russia, because his ill will is evident." (Postimees, July 13.)
The press continues to discuss Gazprom's plans to hike gas prices for Estonia, viewing it as part of Moscow's political pressure on Tallinn. "Gazprom, which supplies Estonia with gas, is now fully controlled by the Kremlin. Gas prices depend more on political rather than on economic considerations, and Russia may use energy prices for political manipulations." (Eesti Paevaleht, July 18.)
LATVIA
Negative coverage in the Latvian press focused mainly on the Kremlin's attempts to bar former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov from the struggle for the presidency by launching a criminal investigation. "The Kasyanov case is developing following the scenario of the prosecution of former Yukos chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky." (Dienas Bizness, July 13.)
The EU resolution urging Russia to return the Kuril Islands to Japan was commented on only in the Russian press and only negatively. "Japan, Latvia and Estonia are not the only states trying to 'snatch' a piece of Russian land. Now other countries may line up. Finns dream of returning the Karelian Isthmus; Poland, Romania and Norway also have territorial claims to Russia." (Chas, July 14.)
Due to the expected rise in Russian gas tariffs, the media launched a campaign against Gazprom. "Gazprom supplies gas to the Baltic states at a price significantly lower than European prices and ensured Latvia's dependence on gas. Now prices for the Baltic states will grow." (Latvijas Avize, July 16.)
For complicated relations between Latvia and Russia, the press blames shadow business, not politicians. "Bad relations with Russia are beneficial for the shadow economy." (Telegraf, July 18.)
LITHUANIA
Citing a source in Central Asia, the newspaper has published an article that forecasts the total breakup of the Commonwealth of Independent States at the next summit of CIS heads of state in Kazan on August 26. A Eurasian union involving Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus will be formed in its place. "According to some information, the leaders of these countries intend to discuss plans to create common borders, political and economic spaces, and to adopt a single currency." (Litovskaya Narodnaya Gazeta, July 14.)
The scandal around criminal proceedings launched against Mikhail Kasyanov is seen as an evident sign of an escalated fight for power in the Kremlin. "After Putin's obvious shift towards authoritarian rule, strangling freedom of speech and transferring control over public property to his KGB entourage, [the proceedings] mean that the fight for power has entered a new stage." (Lietuvos Rytas, July 16.)
The press reprints an article from a Russian source that draws parallels between the Russian youth movement Nashi (Us), Hitler's Germany and the "cultural revolution" in China. "Members of Nashi are made to feel that they are elite, arbiters, builders and defenders of the new state and the new order." (Litovkaya Narodnaya Gazeta, July 18.)
There are reports about Yukos' successful attempts to protect its property in Lithuania from the Russian authorities. "Yukos has made sure that if there are attempts to arrest the shares of Mazeikiu Nafta, which it controls, the initiators have to get permission both from the Netherlands and the Supreme Court. This could protect the Lithuanian company from a buyer chosen by the Russian authorities." (Lietuvos Zinios, July 13.)
UKRAINE
The press believes that there are political implications in the Russian-Ukrainian gas conflict. "Taking advantage of the gas scandal, Russia is trying to force Ukraine into concessions on some inter-state problems. This is first of all joint management of the country's gas mains." (Galitskiye Kontrakty, July 7.)
Commenting on the Russian Foreign Ministry's statement about the "undetermined" status of the island of Tuzla, the press blames Russia for the relapse of the conflict. "Apparently, while Ukrainian diplomats toughen their position, their Russian counterparts will be more closely connecting the island's status with delimitation of the Kerch Strait." (Zerkalo Nedeli, July 18.)
According to the media, Russia is increasing its "political presence" in the country. "The deeper the disagreements in Ukrainian-Russian relations, the higher the possibility of a strengthened Russian lobby in the Ukrainian parliament." (ProUA, July 15.)
The press sees the criminal proceedings launched against Mikhail Kasyanov as an attempt to get rid of a potential opposition candidate at the 2008 presidential election. "People around Putin need to understand right now how well the ex-prime minister gets the Kremlin's clues, and how his political activities will change after the dacha story." (Zerkalo Nedeli, July 18.)
MOLDOVA
The media have been discussing the reasons for the deterioration in Russian-Moldovan relations. They question the sincerity of Russian officials who point to technical obstacles hindering a quick withdrawal from Transdnestr. "Reactionary strategists impose decisions on Putin that often contradict Russia's interests and could lead to the country quarreling with its traditional friends... Russia does not need such a negative image, especially at a time when many are interested in deepening friendly relations beneficial to both parties." (Moldova Suverane, July 14.)
International observers detained by the Moldovan police are declared to be provocateurs and organizers of information sabotage in the country.
"The arrival of 'international' observers that do not have legal mandates and act rudely and aggressively testifies to the desire of the Russian secret services to discredit election processes in countries that are getting rid of Russia's influence. It is no coincidence that Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia are the most frequent targets of provocateurs who disguise themselves as 'observers.'" (Nezavisimaya Moldova, July 15.)
ARMENIA
Presenting the Armenian president as a puppet of the Kremlin is becoming a commonplace in the press. "In fact, Russia is again testing in Armenia a model, which failed in Ukraine. At present, authoritarian leader Putin, who seeks to remain in office for the third term, is testing this model for Kocharyan, his outpost." (Aravot, July 14.)
Russia's attempts to involve Turkey in solving the Nagorny Karabakh problem evokes serious apprehensions in the press. "Recently Russia began to flirt with Ankara. It is not for the first time that we hear Yuri Merzlyakov, Russia's co-chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group, that it is necessary to attract Turkey to the Karabakh settlement." (Erkir, July 15.)
GEORGIA
The international conference in Batumi, where President Mikhail Saakashvili presented the details of a peaceful settlement plan for South Ossetia, which provides for granting broad autonomy to the republic, continues to be the most discussed political development in the media. The refusal of the South Ossetian leadership to accept the plan is viewed by the Georgian leadership as a result of Moscow's political influence on the leadership of South Ossetia in Tskhinvali. "The response of the Ossetian side to our initiatives has always been the same. Their position sounds as if it is recorded in a tape recorder, which is switched on in Moscow when necessary." (Khvalindeli dge, June 18.)
Meanwhile, experts hope that Saakashvili's initiatives, even if rejected by South Ossetia, may considerably improve the image of Georgia on the international scene. "In this way we may win over to our side, if not the Tskhinvali separatist authorities, than at least the hearts of the local Ossetian population." (Kviris Palitra, June 6.)
Economic developments were mainly reflected in numerous reports about suspending electricity supply to the debtors among the budget-funded organizations of the Tbilisi-based power-distributing company Telasi, which is owned by RAO UES of Russia. "The company has conducted the punitive operation for three days, and now power supply is ended for 350 debtor organizations. According to Telasi, the organizations have already started returning the debts. Part of the debts has already been paid by the Border Protection Department, and letters of guarantees have been presented by the Internal Affairs and Defense ministries." (Alia, July 14.)
The statements by the Russian president about the plans of forming two mountain rifle brigades at the southern borders of Russia passed unnoticed in the local press. This information was published in a few internet media with reference to RIA Novosti and evoked no comments.
AZERBAIJAN
The outcome of the talks between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have been received with satisfaction. As great support is expected in solving the Nagorny Karabakh problem from both Russia and Turkey, Russia's proposal on completely lifting the economic blockade in northern Cyprus is viewed as one of special significance to Azerbaijan. "At the meeting with prime minister of Turkey the president of Russia spoke of the need to put an end to the economic isolation of northern Cyprus... After the discussion with Vladimir Putin of the Karabakh problem, Recep Erdogan said that he was satisfied to hear "the opinion of Vladimir Putin that time has come to grapple with this problem seriously" (Zerkalo, July 19.)
President Putin's instruction to intensify the guarding of Russia's southern borders is seen as an unfriendly move in relation to Azerbaijan and a sign of cooling in Russian-Azerbaijani relations. "The reasons behind demonstrating the Kremlin's tough attitude to the authorities in Azerbaijan, which meets the interests of Russia, are an object of further study. The arrest of Azerbaijani ships in Russia, followed by a general ban for Azerbaijani ships to enter Russian waters, is also an interesting question." (Eni Musavat, July 18.)
Support rendered by Moscow to the separatist enclaves on the CIS territory and the struggle against terrorism in the country are seen as evidence of preparations for a possible expansion to the south. "Any worsening of the situation in Abkhazia or South Ossetia, as a rule, causes an adequate response in the south of Russia... As it launches a struggle against 'terrorists,' official Moscow wants to solve an important problem for itself - it does not let the West into the region, strengthens its southern frontiers and creates an outpost for further advance to the south in future." (Zerkalo, July 13.)
KAZAKHSTAN
The information about a possible increase in the number of servicemen at the Russian air base Kant and about China's intention to open a military base in Kyrgyzstan has always given rise to increased interest in geopolitical developments. "The poor have always striven to be with the rich. In political terms Russia has in Kyrgyzstan far less weight than America and even Kazakhstan have. In the first place, because there is no wish to examine what is going on in the republic and, second, because of financial insolvency." (Nomad, July 13.)
The statement made by Russian Alliance about preparedness to support President Nazarbayev at the next presidential elections is regarded by the press as Russia's intention to stake in advance on a most probable winner. "Russia, which can never guess the main direction of developments - first in Georgia, then in Ukraine and later in Moldova and Kyrgyzstan - is trying to change somewhat its policy of an outsider... There is a definite political reason in all this, but only a momentary and again a loosing one in the end." (Navigator-II, July 15.)
KYRGYZSTAN
The media demonstrate their negative attitude to the pro-Russian course of the official Bishkek. "Russia has never led any nation to progress. Its present state and development cannot be a model for Kyrgyzstan. The US base in Kyrgyzstan must be kept for a longer period of time... At the same time, there is no need to increase the Russian army contingent at the Kant air base." (Erkintoo, July 15.)
They also publish selected materials from the Western press accusing Russia and China of peddling anti-American initiatives at the [recent] session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). "Russia and China make a wider use of the organization, which was first created for settling border conflicts between successor states to the Soviet Union and China, for restricting US influence in Central Asia." (KyrgyzInfo, July 14.)
They also advance a thesis on the need for Bishkek to achieve a rapprochement with the West and thus get rid of Moscow and Beijing's dictation. "Bakiyev needs support from other democratic countries. The United States, for instance, must seriously consider its possible withdrawal from Uzbekistan - an unsuitable partner from the point of view of human rights. This could help Bakiyev mitigate Russia's and China's pressure." (Gazeta KG, July 15.)
UZBEKISTAN
The press comes to the conclusion that the desire to expel the United States from Central Asia has made Russia and China political allies. "For Russia and China, the SCO's Statement was yet another chance to throw stones at Washington." (Musulmansky Uzbekistan, July 19.)
The opposition press doubts that the Russian-Uzbek cooperation will last. "The prospect of a trial by the UN International Tribunal in the foreseeable future does not please President Islam Karimov... He is secretly trying to contact Pentagon officials to put pressure to bear on representatives of the US Department of State and amend US attitude to him in exchange for the perpetual lease of the Karshi-Khanabad base... Thus, President Putin was fooled once again when he relied on the honesty and sincerity of his Uzbek counterpart." (Musulmansky Uzbekistan, July 18.)
The press closely follows the controversy involving 14 Uzbek citizens who were detained in the city of Ivanovo in connection with the demand for their extradition. "They were beaten and subjected to electric shocks... When they were questioned, Uzbek investigators threatened bodily harm to them in case of their extradition... All the detainees are badly scared, and fear that their complaints against the investigators may even worsen their situation." (TRINUNE-uz, July 14.)
TAJIKISTAN
The distressful situation of labor migrants from Tajikistan dominates the media. "The labor migrants' life outside the country is very hard. It is even more regrettable that young immigrants die of unbearable conditions (of life and work(." (Charkhi Gardun, July 15.)
The media point out that the starting expulsion of the United States from Central Asia will lead to an upsurge of terrorism in the region. "The present pragmatic leaders of Russia and other regional powers stake on the strengthening of the command-style governance. At the same time, none of the 'winning sides' can be kept under a delusion that this situation will last. No doubt, the growing offshoots of authoritarianism, crude violations of human rights and corruption will encourage the rise of terrorism, including that on religious grounds, and lead to massive disorders destabilizing the situation." (Avesta, July 13.)
