ESTONIA
The report of the Commission of the Council of Europe criticizing Tallinn for the situation with the rights of national minorities was an unpleasant surprise to Estonia. Some media outlets labeled the report as tendentious and initiated by Russia. "The Estonian political elite and government officials were yesterday shocked by an icy report by the Commission of the Council of Europe on the fight against racism and intolerance which leveled the toughest accusations at Estonia ... The Tallinn-based Information Centre for Human Rights which is reportedly financed by Russia and has attracted the security police's attention, is a source of the harsh report." (Eesti Paevaleht, February 22.)
LATVIA
On the eve of the arrival in Moscow of HAMAS representatives, the Latvian press pointed to the significance of the event for the consolidation of Russia's strategic positions in the Middle East against the background of the aggravation of Washington's problems and the caricature scandal in Europe. "After the Russian leader called the Hamas victory in the Palestinian elections a severe blow at the U.S. peace efforts, his invitation looks like an attempt to exacerbate Washington's problems." (Business&Baltia, February 16.) "The Russian policy in the Middle East has been goal-oriented of late... As if neutrally, Putin nevertheless gave a bright comment on the caricature scandal: 'I think any provocation is absolutely inadmissible in this sphere. You should think twice before publishing, doing or drawing anything.'" (Latvijas Avize, February 22.)
LITHUANIA
The statements by Arvydas Pocius, the head of Lithuania's State Security Department, who is concerned about "the secret information war of some states and direct financial injections from abroad," have had a wide resonance. The media and politicians were not unanimous in their comments on the statements by the high-ranking official. "Arvydas Pocius' comment is another manifestation of Lithuanian officials' saying something without saying anything at all... It's no secret that Russia is trying to put pressure to bear on Baltic and Western countries through economic and political pressure. Everybody who cares about foreign policy sees that. However, specific preventive measures, not public speeches that pose more questions than give any answers and are responsible for tensions in society, could make any changes here. If you say 'a', you should say 'b' as well, or say nothing at all." (Veidas, February 25.) "Some are angry that the leader of the State Security Department cast a shadow over the entire political system of the country, while others are trying to protect themselves and other parties saying that no funds have ever been sent from abroad nor can there be. Yet nobody seems to have considered Arvydas Pocius' statements more deeply... How many Russian state-run enterprises and companies under special services' control have been seeking access to the Klaipeda port and the other strategic sectors of the Lithuanian economy?" (Lietuvos rytas, February 27.) "Business should be left to its own. The involvement of foreign special services is sometimes exaggerated in Lithuania which does ungrounded damage to the interests of entrepreneurs." (Verslo zinios, February 21.)
UKRAINE
Some publications write that the gas war between Russia and Ukraine points to Moscow's intention to use hydrocarbons prices to bankrupt the energy-dependent enterprises of Ukraine, so that Russian companies would buy controlling stakes in them at dumping prices.
They explain their supposition by the refusal of Russian businessmen to participate in last year's auction for the republic's biggest steel works Krivorozhstal and the statement made by Volodymyr Boiko, the head of the Mariupol-based Ilyich Steel Works, about recent frequent visits by owners of Russia's biggest steel works, namely Alexei Mordashov of Severstal Group and Vladimir Lisin of Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK).
"Russian [steel] groups probably refused to bid for Krivorozhstal also because they had learned about the outcome of the June gas war. The line [for a meeting with Boiko] can mean only one thing: Russian companies would provide cheap gas to Ukrainian works only if they grab control of them." (Ukrrudprom, February 17.)
The media, which report on the Kiev session of the interstate commission on the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Ukraine, accuse Russia of drawing out the talks and criticize Moscow's interpretation of the framework agreements on the fleet. "Before saying how many billion dollars Russia had spent on subsidies to Ukraine, Vladimir Putin should have thought of how much Kiev had spent on Moscow in the bays of Sevastopol." (Gravred, February 16.)
Many media link Ukraine's Black Sea claims to elections to the Supreme Council and the desire of the pro-presidential bloc to boost its rating. "The Yushchenko team is working hard to fan tensions in relations with Russia in a bid to attract the voters who still blame their plight on Moscow's intrigues." (Pro-ua, February 17.)
MOLDOVA
The pro-Romanian press notes that Kiev is playing the Russian card in the parliamentary elections and writes about Russia-Ukraine collusion on the Transdnestr issue. "Russians understand that they need Ukraine's assistance to push the events there towards the Kosovo scenario. Therefore, the Kremlin will eventually cede Transdnestr to its eastern Slavic neighbor in return for the continued military presence of Russia and Kiev's support to the legalization of the self-proclaimed independence [of Transdnestr] from Moldova. This Moscow carrot looks very sweet, and Kiev's appetite for it can be curbed only if the United States and the European Union prescribe an emetic for it." (Flux, February 17.)
ARMENIA
Experts interpret the statement by Vladimir Putin about Moscow's energetic assistance to the solution of the Karabakh problem as proof of the policy of strengthening Russia's positions in the former Soviet republics. They say that Russia has become involved in the Karabakh settlement in order to propel its own interests.
"Two other co-chairmen of the Minsk OSCE Group, the Untied States and France, have become more active of late. Therefore, Russia is trying to take a proactive stand in the post-Soviet space, giving more attention to the solution of conflicts. States are known to use unsettled problems to advance their own interests. The Karabakh territory has become an apple of contention for various parties." (Azg, Armenia, February 24.)
Regarding the Caucasus as an arena of geopolitical struggle, the media write that Armenia would benefit, to a degree, from Moscow's involvement in the Karabakh settlement. But some media fear that the Kremlin might take revenge on Armenia for the recent attempts by the republican authorities regarding NATO.
"Moscow's active efforts will certainly neutralize the crude scenario of eventual American interference and give the administration of Robert Kocharyan time for maneuver. On the other hand, a day will surely come when Russia will present the bill, because Moscow has certainly not forgotten the demonstratively pro-NATO fiddling by the Yerevan authorities." (Aib-Fe, February 24.)
The media write about the outlook for partnership with Russia that Russia is an extremely unreliable and even dangerous partner. "Russia will not hesitate to use Armenia as small change in complicated talks, if it decides that this would suit its interests." (Iravunq, February 25.)
"Russia wants the CIS countries to remain economically backward. A vivid example is the story with Armenia's state debt. Russia 'forgave' it in return for assuming control of several strategic enterprises whose real price is several times bigger than the state debt. This Russian policy can be described only as colonial." (Aikakan Zhamanak, February 22.)
GEORGIA
The majority of the local media are worried by the current situation in Russo-Georgian relations and harshly criticize the militant mood of the Tbilisi authorities. "A few days ago the country was tottering on the brink of war. They [Russians] are outraged at our rhetoric. Our president has changed his tone after the visit to Germany. He has come to see that this is not the way to talk [with Russia], but the parliamentary majority has not." (Akhali taoba, February 20.)
"The political climate between Tbilisi and Moscow should become warmer. Nobody expects the authorities to capitulate, fall on their knees and wag the tail. The idea is to develop normal, effective and wise political relations with Russia." (Sakartvelos respublika, February 25-26.)
The Georgian media were shocked by the decision to postpone the visit by the Georgian prime minister and a parliamentary delegation to Moscow "for technical reasons," and by a halt on the issue of Russian visas to Georgian citizens.
"Simply put, 'technical reasons' mean that Moscow has shut the door to [the prime minister and the parliamentarians], as well as to the whole of Georgia. It has stopped issuing visas and nobody knows how long this may last. It appears that it may last until we take justified, substantiated and balanced steps." (Sakartvelos respublika, February 25-26.)
The republican press is disappointed by the Ukrainian president's response to the offer to replace Russian peacekeepers with Ukrainian ones. "The Ukrainian president said Ukraine would replace Russian peacekeepers but only if the UN assumed patronage of the situation. The words 'under the UN auspices' mean that Ukraine would not do it without the permission of Russia, because Russia has a right of veto in the UN." (Alia, February 25-26.)
AZERBAIJAN
Against the official information background of the absolute success of President Vladimir Putin's visit to Baku, criticism of the Azerbaijani-Russian relations by the opposition media looks especially sharp. "Azerbaijan is again looking at Russia through the eyes of a 'minor brother.' ("Yeni Musavat", February 28.) "There is no talk of any improvement in the Azerbaijani-Russian relations since Ilkham Aliyev's friendship with Vladimir Putin cannot be called Azerbaijan's friendship with Russia. The Azerbaijani ruling clan improves relations with Russia only at a personal level, but this does not solve the problems of the Azerbaijanis working in Russia." ("Yeni Musavat", February 28). "Moscow wants to make Azerbaijan its strategic ally. In other words, Russia wants to change Azerbaijan's foreign policy vector. Russia's initiative to create a united Navy on the Caspian Sea must be taken seriously. The Navy will be controlled by Russia which means the possibility to occupy Azerbaijan from the Caspian Sea. In addition, Russia will try to gain Azerbaijan's support on the Iranian issue. This support may consist of the use of Azerbaijani territory for Russian commodity supplies to Iran in the event of the United States' military invasion of that country. Moscow's present policy in the region is aimed at preventing the USA from gaining superiority over Iran. Russia has always wanted to see the United States weak and this desire has not changed today. For instance, Russia's support for the Hamas is also dictated by anti-American sentiments." ("Azadliq", February 23.)
KAZAKHSTAN
The "gas conflict" with Ukraine and Gazprom and Lukoil's activities in Central Asia are assessed by the press as monopolization of the energy market and Russia's striving to gain back its status of a superpower. "Russia's re-orientation from the development of the defense industry sector towards that of the fuel and energy complex is a symbolic sign addressed to the rest of the world... This is new evidence of nostalgia for the former 'world domination.' First, world energy domination, then economic, political and, finally, military domination. If you fail to see this logical chain, it means you live with your eyes closed and do not understand the processes taking place outside your walls." (Gazeta. kz, February 22.)
The recent session of the CIS "think tank" in Minsk gave rise to skeptical comments in the media. The predominant opinion is that of a lack of prospect for reforming the CIS bodies. "Europe managed to unite within a brief period of time because it reached consensus, while the CIS is still functioning only on paper trying to reach agreement. There are too many declarations and few deeds. What can a 'think tank' do in this case? Just talk and go away." (Liter.kz, February 22.)
KYRGYZSTAN
Some Kyrgyz NGOs have responded defiantly to Russian Air Force Commander Vladimir Mikhailov's remarks in the wake of his meeting with Kyrgyz Defense Minister Ismail Isakov. Offended by Mikhailov's statement that he was seeking a license to deploy the Russian Kant airbase in the country "forever," they said that, while necessary for the time being, Moscow's military presence should not be negotiated in these terms. "Mikhailov has no grounds to state that." ( Zhany Kylym, February 22.)
"Kyrgyzstan wants such weapons as deployed in the Russian and U.S. airbases. We do not have such capabilities, so these bases are needed for the time being. Not forever, though: as soon as they fulfill their respective missions, they should go." (Zhany Kylym, February 22.)
UZBEKISTAN
The Uzbek media focuses on Russian military expansion in the region.
"Russian Air Force Commander General of the Army Vladimir Mikhailov said the Russian airbase deployed in Kyrgyzstan will receive additional aircraft. 'The fixed-wing fleet will be tripled,' he is quoted as saying, 'the number of commissioned officers deployed there will rise to around 260. This is our base forever.'" (Vesti.uz, February 17.)
The news about curtailing prices for railway transfer of more Uzbek fresh fruit and vegetables in refrigerator cars to Russia, inspired optimism that it might help Uzbek goods return to Russian markets.
"Lower tariffs will not only mean larger supplies of Uzbek fruit, vegetables, and grapes, but also higher quality, which does as much good to Russian consumers as to Uzbek producers. The key issue now is to streamline it into a continuously operating system to let the famous Uzbek fruit and grapes make a comeback in Russia where they now have to compete with Spanish, Bulgarian, Chinese, and other products of warm countries."(Vesti.uz, February 22.)
TAJIKISTAN
The Tajik media look at the Russian-Iranian nuclear negotiations. Iran's standoff with the West, the local media insist, has highlighted an urgent need for a regional security system in Central Asia.
The Tajik proposed to center a new system around the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the latter seen as a more probable candidate for leadership if it included India as well.
"A regional security organization arching through Moscow, New Delhi, and Beijing, Yevgeny Primakov's idea, which could also involve Iran, will result in an economically, militarily, and demographically (half the global population) unrivalled military and political bloc capable of calming down any global aggressor. This means that the region has a real political opportunity to create an environment to solve the acute Iranian crisis. Goodwill, political will, and wise diplomacy are all we have yet to see." (Azia-Plus, February 16.)
On aggregate, the media have been positive about the results of Russia's negotiations with Tehran.
"Russia's proposal to create a Russian-based joint venture with Iran to produce nuclear fuel is a unique way out of the deadlock Iran's nuclear program has found itself in."(Azia-Plus, February 21.)
