ESTONIA
The media continue writing about a sharp increase in the activities of Russian secret services, which creates a considerable threat to the national security of Estonia. "Western experts believe that Russian secret services, which were in disarray under Yeltsin, have now reached the early Cold War level. During the Cold War, Finland was a major scene for secret services from all over the world, because of its proximity to the Soviet Union, and a point where the West came into contact with the communist empire. Now the Baltic nations are in a similar position. They attract Russian secret services by the favorable language environment, NATO membership, modern communications, advanced economies and banks. In addition, Russia has strategic interests in the Baltic Sea." (Pohjarannik, February 2.)
LATVIA
Statement by the Chairman of the Saeima National Safety Commission Indulis Emsis accused Russia of making attempts to influence the parliamentary elections in Latvia by funding its NGOs. "If there is a threat to national security, law-enforcement bodies will have to check on this information... In all probability, Russia's goal consists not in promoting democracy in Latvia, but in it being run by loyal politicians, who would champion Russian interests. (Diena, February 3.)
Some national media recall that the Russian State Duma has earmarked funds for the support of foreign NGOs. "The Duma debates last fall over the political dependence of Russian NGOs on foreign money, show that Emsis's apprehensions are justified. The need for the government support for NGOs was emphasized at the same time... NGO of post-Soviet republics were mentioned more than once. If the MPs speak about influence of the foreign-funded NGOs on domestic policy, if they are trying to limit this influence on the domestic scene, if a decision on funding is made with the view of influencing neighboring countries, isn't it reasonable to talk about the influence of official Russia's money on politics via NGOs?" ((Neatkariga rita avize, February 6.)
In this context extreme radical publications write about insufficient control over the Russian language press in the republic. "While the Latvian language media are poking in the pockets of each other's owners, the Russian language media are outside the zone of interests. Meanwhile, they are overtly pro-Russian, and some off-the-record statements made by Russian journalists in the diplomatic lobby, suggest that they are being funded by sources other than their readers and ads... If nobody assumes responsibility for preventing our neighbor's potential influence during the election campaign, who will be responsible for us becoming "an autonomous area?" (Latvijas Avize, February 3.)
LITHUANIA
Problems of ensuring energy security, which have moved to the fore because of Russia's "gas" policy, continue to be in the center of the media attention. "The EU and the U.S. should together advise Russia to ensure safe and transparent supplies of energy resources on the basis of a clear-cut policy. This task is inseparably linked with the destiny of democratic reforms in Russia. If we want to ensure reliable gas supplies from Russia, it is important that Russia ratifies the European Energy Charter." (Verslo zinios, February 3.)
The media are increasingly suggesting that the democratic nations should set up a united front in order to uphold their energy interests, and resist the Kremlin's imperial ambitions. "All post-Soviet states should get together and jointly protect their energy interests when communicating with Moscow. If each small country cooperates with Russia on a bilateral basis, its voice will be much weaker than the common voice of a united front, which Moscow will not be able to ignore." (Kauno diena, February 6.)
At the same time, the press is disappointed that its great hopes for EU support have not materialized. "The European Commission supports the German-Russian agreement to bypass Lithuania in laying a gas pipeline across the bottom of the Baltic Sea. It does not want to hear anything about the Vilnius attempts to extend the operation of the Ignalina nuclear power plant... Persuading their compatriots to join the EU, Lithuanian politicians hoped that their country would shake off the Kremlin yoke, and would experience great joy in the embrace of democratic Brussels. But today they have to admit that Brussels is not a good lover, and chooses partners in search of profit rather than love... Several years from now we may see that we are as welcome as water in its shoes, and we will realize that we have been carrying out directives of the Kremlin rather than those of the European Parliament." (Redspublica, February 1.)
Lithuanian producers have tried to fill the niche which has been vacated due to the ban on Ukraine's meat and dairy exports to Russia. "Some Lithuanian producers (of cheese and vegetables, for example), have recently stepped up their exports to Russia, because of the latter's restrictions on food imports from Ukraine, Poland, and Norway." (Verslo zinios, February 2.)
UKRAINE
Vladimir Putin's news conference has received extensive coverage in the media. It abounded in sarcastic remarks. "Most of (Putin's) queries had little resemblance with the questions of the critical press. Many were designed to fit the taste and favorite topics of the addressee. 'It was more reminiscent of the reception of petitioners by the Tsar, than a news conference,' said a foreign journalist. On the whole, the news conference left the impression that Putin gave vent to his irritation at the West, Georgia, and Ukraine. As a result, the image of the all-powerful owner of one-seventh of the Earth's surface and two thirds of the world's polar regions, has somewhat faded." (Obozrevatel, February 2.)
The Russian President's answers to the questions bearing on Russian-Ukrainian relations have evoked the media's concern over the prospects of a gas agreement between Moscow and Kiev. "A summary of Putin's news conference suggests two conclusions: 1. that Russia may violate a gas supply agreement, if the situation is politically suitable; 2. that it wants to sell extra gas not for $90, but at best for $230 per 1,000 cu m." (Obozrevatel, February 2.)
Absence of an alternative hydrocarbon supplier is being described as a catalyst in destabilizing the entire Ukrainian economy. "The documents, which had surfaced, plus the idea of a joint venture, were tantamount to an almost implemented plan of bloodless annexation of Ukraine, and not for five years, but for 25 years -- until 2030... If nothing changes, Ukraine will retain control of shoe factories and shops, whereas all businesses of 'federal' significance will be put under Moscow's consolidated control." (Zerkalo nedeli, February 4.)
MOLDOVA
Chisinau press complains about the refusal of the negotiators on Transdnestrian settlement to discuss Russian military presence in the self-proclaimed republic.
"Moscow and Tiraspol are avoiding the issue, Kiev is passive, while Washington, Brussels and the OSCE acting president are seeking a solution through "minor steps" and projects designed to keep the OSCE afloat." (Moldova Suverana, February 1.)
Putin's statement that solutions of the Kosovo crisis must apply to other similar situations is being viewed as Russia's wish to threaten the United States and the EU with a retaliatory move of recognizing the independence of some post-Soviet territories. "The Russian leader's statements smack of malice toward the U.S. and the European Union, which have often accused Moscow of double standards... Moscow may try to squeeze as many political advantages as possible from the situation in its tacitly "cold" confrontation with the West...For Russia it is more important to play the card in the geopolitical game with the West than to recognize the independence of Abkhazia, Ossetia and Transdnestria." (Independent Moldova, February 3.)
ARMENIA
The mass media unanimously interpret the growing tariffs for Russian gas and explosions in a main gas pipeline through which gas is transported from Russia to Georgia and Armenia as part of Moscow's strategy of seeking dominance on the post-Soviet space. "The Putin regime is penalizing Georgia but this directly affects Armenia as well. Just 2-3 hours after the explosion, Armenia stopped the supply of electricity to Georgia. In effect, we are implementing an anti-Georgian policy and have become a tool in Russia's hands" (Aikakan Zhamanak, February 1.) "Security in this country, with energy security being its major component, has tuned out to be vulnerable. The gas pipeline is used for political blackmail by a "strategic ally." The Russians have learned a new trick: they provide loans in exchange for its neighbors' strategic assets. This leads to a conclusion that Russia is running a clearly aggressive policy on the entire post-Soviet space... And it is not even bothering to conceal its neo-imperial aspirations." (Aikakan Zhamanak, February 4.)
GEORGIA
The press express a strongly negative reaction to President Putin's statement that the future decision on Kosovo should be "universal", and that the precedent of settling the Kosovo problem could be used for crisis settlement in Sukhumi and Tskhinvali. Experts and the media labeled the statements as a direct threat to Georgian integrity. "Unfortunately, the Kosovo problem resembles the situation in Abkhazia to a certain extent, so Georgia feels sensitive on the issue" (Rezonansi, 01.02); "Putin is directly threatening Georgia with recognition of independent Sukhumi and Tskhinvali." (Rezonansi, February 1.)
A growing number of publications condemn Russia's policy on the international arena. "Now the world has noticed that Russia is using its energy resources as a political lever against its West-oriented neighbors. Moscow is no longer willing to use "energy mechanisms" alone for taming its "disobedient" neighbors and is considering more traditional means - the use of force." (Sakartvelos Respublica, 03.02) "Moscow does not seem to support Georgian territorial integrity and is steering toward annexation of Abkhazia. Russian decision makers have chosen to deviate from the key principle of conflict settlement - the recognition of Abkhazia's status within Georgia." (24 Saati, February 3.)
AZERBAIJAN
The media believe Moscow keeps trying to make the former Soviet republics "obedient." "Moscow instigates separatist conflicts in those countries whose governments are pursuing an openly independent policy: Nagorny Karabakh in Azerbaijan, South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Georgia, Transdnestria in Moldova, the conflict in the Crimea, Ukraine... In this light it would be logical to presume that when Moscow threatens to repeat Kosovo-style decisions in the former Soviet republics, it expects "full obedience" from them, rather than cares about Kosovo destiny." (Echo, February 3.)
KAZAKHSTAN
Mass media denounces the connivance of Russian authorities in connection with the surge of xenophobia in Russia. Analysts believe that the rise of nationalist movements is beneficial for the Kremlin. "There is a feeling that the Russian authorities are either trying to ignore the nationalist movements gaining momentum or are unable to combat them... The authorities abet xenophobia, by creating an aura of fear: outside adversaries who want to grab a piece of Russia's territory, domestic adversaries represented by the opposition. Xenophobia is a byproduct of the authorities' other objective, the creation of the vertical chain of command." (Liter.kz, February 2.)
Russia's strengthening position in Central Asia is discussed at length. The prevailing opinion is that the country uses the economic leverage more actively to protect its interests. "Russia is gradually building more pragmatic relationships with other countries... Oil and gas from Central Asian republics is used to serve Russia's interests; it develops regional oil and gas transportation networks, sets up joint ventures and carries out other projects in the sector." (Gazeta.kz, February 2.)
KYRGYZSTAN
Mass media continue discussing the recent visit of Alexei Miller, Gazprom's CEO, to Kyrgyzstan. "For a decade and a half, international financial experts kept saying that Kyrgyzstan is poor in natural resources. Because of their discouragement, even the development of the richest coal deposits stopped almost completely. Gazprom's willingness to pour money into the Kyrgyz mining industry can rid the republic of the permanent fear of remaining without heat in winter." (Kyrgyz Press, February 5.)
The introduction of Russia's restrictions on electric bulbs imports spurred the press to announce a forthcoming monopolization of this market segment. "Kyrgyzstan has the biggest quota, 80 million items... It has turned out that Viktor Stolpovskikh, President of the VAVS international lighting holding, knows the principles of quota distributions quite well. In the last two years he has gained control of about 90% of Russia's bulb production. Now VAVS will have the biggest share in glow lamps imports. Kyrgyzstan has only one plant producing light bulbs, and it is controlled by Stolpovskikh." (Obshchestvenny Reiting, February 3.)
UZBEKISTAN
Mass media discuss the possibility of Islam Karimov leaving big politics, partly because of Russia's guarded attitude toward him. "We should not be fooled by outspoken support of Karimov on the part of his new Russian comrades with a KGB record. They use the same hypocritical rhetoric every time when mentioning the Uzbek leader, that's all... Russia is still aware of the weakness of its consolidation with Uzbekistan, because it is governed by Karimov. And the Kremlin, if it has at least one thinking strategist left, has certainly started to work toward the gradual replacement of the Uzbek head of state. It is possible that propaganda of Mohammad Solikh's ideas [leader of Uzbek democratic opposition] that has started outside Russia, is playing into the Kremlin's hands, however paradoxical that may seem. Now, not distracted by trifles, it can quietly prepare its Uzbek stooge, most probably, one of Karimov's recent allies." (Fergana.Ru, February 1.)
TAJIKISITAN
President Emomali Rakhmonov's visit to Iran will spur healthy competition between different countries in Tajikistan and become a catalyst for the implementation of existing Russian-Tajik agreements, believes Radzhab Safarov, head of the Center of Modern Iranian Studies and aide to the deputy speaker of the Russian parliament. "When Iranian President Khatami visited Dushanbe in September 2004, some important bilateral agreements were signed, including the protocol setting up a joint company to construct the Sangtudin hydropower plant. As a result, Russian President Vladimir Putin, afraid of losing Tajikistan, immediately flew to Dushanbe and made Emomali Rakhmonov an offer he could not refuse." (Azia Plus, February 2.)
The press comments on contradictory reactions in the international community on Hamas' victory in the parliament election in Palestine. Russian and Western experts are still assessing its consequences and are undecided about their stand, journalists believe. "Experts all over the world, including Russia, are alarmed that further liberalization of the Muslim world will lead to inevitable victory or pro-Muslim forces in a majority, if not all, Muslim countries and ask whether these nations should be assisted in building democracy, if Western and Russian interests can come under attack. So the question remains unanswered. What is more important, one's own interests or respect of other peoples' expressed will?" (Azia Plus, February 2.)
