ESTONIA
A number of articles question Russia's ability to be a reliable economic partner for the West and Gazprom's interest in increasing gas output. "The European Union wants Russia to ratify the Energy Charter, which would put their relations on a more market-like basis and give European companies the opportunity to export Russian gas. However, Russia, despite putting energy security at the top of the agenda during its presidency in the Group of Eight, cannot imagine competing with foreigners. (Eesti Paevaleht, April 27.) "Gazprom's output has not grown recently. Its reserves come from the Soviet era and they are becoming depleted... Observers point out that big sales volumes are not in the company's interest, and higher profits are more important than amounts." (Eesti Paevaleht, April 27.)
LATVIA
The third and final section of the Baltic pipeline system has been put into operation, which has provoked serious concern among the local media in Russian about a reduction in oil transit through Latvia. "One cannot say that Russia has put an end to the use of Baltic ports and transit routes: Tallin, Ventspils and Klaipeda will continue getting some crumbs from the master's oil pail... But the prospects for Russian transit are gloomy... Obviously, it will be our ports that will be sacrificed. Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko has made it clear: 'The system was designed first of all to reduce the dependence of our domestic oil exporters on services of the transit states - Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.'" (Vesti Segodnya, April 26.)
LITHUANIA
The media sees Gazprom's actions as the abuse of its monopoly position. "The angry Russian bear has turned towards Lithuania. The trouble that made us sympathize with one European nation after another has reached us: Russian monopolist Gazprom wants another gas price hike, although the previous one was just four months ago. The negotiations model is the same as in other countries of East and West Europe: the monopolist unilaterally dictates its demands, beginning with higher gas prices, and meaning to privatize attractive companies or claim the new, lucrative European market effortlessly and without competition. (Respublika, April 28.)
UKRAINE
Some publications are skeptical about Kiev's prospects in the Euro-Atlantic direction and warn that the ungrounded optimism of the Ukrainian authorities can lead to an energy crisis, which in turn will result in total energy dependence on the Kremlin and sale of some strategic facilities to Moscow with the EU's silent consent. "NATO may still refuse to accept Ukraine, while Moscow is certain to raise gas prices... If a total price hike takes place, the Ukrainian economy will be saved not by NATO accession, but by sale of everything... including the gas transportation network. We cannot hope for the West's political support." (Versii, April 28.)
ARMENIA
Experts agree that after the 5th unit of the Razdan hydropower plant was handed over to Russia, the construction of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline has become pointless for Tehran. "Iranians may still hope that Armenia can become a transit route to Europe, but it is hard to believe that Russia will give Iran this opportunity. After all, it is the lack of options in gas exports that gives it some weight in Europe." (Aikakan Zhamanak, April 27.)
The press accuses the republic's leadership of double play. "[Armenia's] draft strategy of national security was sent both to Russia and the United States... Russia has seen through the leadership's double play. The U.S. has also realized that the Armenian authorities are being dishonest in issues related to the country's prospects for development and joining blocs." (Aravot, May 3.)
GEORGIA
Summing up the events of the last few weeks, the media write about irrevocably ruined relations with Russia and predict a further escalation of tensions. "Georgian-Russian tensions have reached their peak. Russia is banning Georgian products. Maybe soon it will not allow Georgian officials to go to Moscow... They will probably give an emphatic reply and prohibit their Moscow colleagues from visiting Georgia." (Akhali Versia, May 1.)
Winemakers are skeptical about the optimistic statements by the Georgian leaders on the prospects of moving Georgian wine to new markets. "It will be very difficult to replace the Russian market. It would be good if we sold more wine in new markets, but Russia is a very important market not only for wine but also for the Georgian economy as a whole." (Rezonansi, April 29.)
The media continue describing the ban on wine as a "strictly political decision," but experts agree that the Russians had reasons to complain. "We sent good wine to France, and received high evaluation, but this wine did not go to Russia...We should have upgraded its quality... but quality is for the elite, and Georgian wine was meant for the uncouth Russians ... Those who have tried Georgian wine know that only one bottle out of a hundred is good." (Akhali Taoba, May 2.)
AZERBAIJAN
The press is directly accusing Russia of trying to monopolize oil and gas exports in Europe and of exploiting the terrorist potential of separatist regimes. "Both the Baku-Ceyhan and South Caucasian pipelines are close to Nagorny Karabakh and the separatist regions of neighboring Georgia. Subversion against the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline is becoming very likely despite tough security measures. Russia supports all separatists of the region, and may O.K. any act of subversion because the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline circumvents Russia." (525 gazeti, April 28.)
The media write that the wave of national intolerance shows no signs of abating in Russia. Attacks on Azeris take place every other day. Journalists attribute these negative attitudes primarily to the commitment of Azeris to Islam. "Azerbaijan is a Muslim country. As we know, Russia is hit by anti-Muslim hysteria; newspapers and television discuss this a great deal. Regrettably, the Russian civil society is not yet adequately organized to be able to rebuff these nazi actions." (Echo, April 26.)
KAZAKHSTAN
The media explain U.S. interest in Central Asian energy resources by Russia's intensified efforts to restore its influence over former Soviet republics, such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, and by mounting tensions around Iran. "The United States would like Kazakhstan to consider other options. In particular, the Americans are not concealing their interest in the construction of a gas pipeline to link the Kazakh Kashagan deposit in the Caspian Sea with the Azeri deposit at Shakh-deniz... The joining of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline by Kazakhstan will be a more pleasant (and useful) surprise for the Americans than democratic reforms and free elections." (Navigator II, May 2.)
UZBEKISTAN
Observing the anniversary of the Andijan tragedy, the opposition press explains it from anti-Russian positions. "Only Russia needed the bloody events in Andijan. Despite the lack of direct evidence there are many grounds to assume that the Andijan massacre was thoroughly planned by Russian security services... Trying to retrieve its lost positions in the southern frontiers, Russia was looking for an excuse, and eventually engineered it." (Musulmanskyi Uzbekistan, May 2.)
TAJIKISTAN
The media are reporting about yet another murder of a Tajik migrant worker in Moscow. The press carries an appeal by Gavkhar Djurayeva, the head of the Tajikistan Foundation, to resist the escalation of inter-ethnic strife in Russia. "I am not denouncing the guys who did not even stop at murder during the fight... I want all of us to deal with the puppeteers - those who are instigating the youth to oppose 'the threat from the South.' These people are voicing nazism ideas even on television and in newspapers." (Varorud, April 28.)
The press has published a long interview with the famous French writer and philosopher Maurice Druon, in which he praised the policy and actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Russia must either be great, or it shouldn't exist at all. Vladimir Putin is a patriot, and I like it... Enormous Russia creates a balance between Europe, on the one hand, and India, China, North and South Americas, on the other. For this reason, we need a strong Russia, and we should cooperate with it." (Asia-Plus, April 27.)
