ESTONIA
President Putin's Munich speech last week remains the focus of the media; some of them suggest his decision to appoint a man with no connection to the military as defense minister is a response to the Western criticism of his remarks.
Putin was probably trying to prove to the West, annoyed by his bluntness in Munich, that he was still a lovable Teddy bear. This appointment is rather offensive for Russian military, the newspaper notes adding that Putin "might as well name his Labrador Connie to the position". Anatoly Serdyukov, a former Tax Service chief, has authored a textbook in which he tells how to do things which his own agency later deemed illegal in the Yukos case. It is doubtful that the Russian military will dare to protest. (Eesti Paevaleht, February 16).
Tensions between Moscow and Washington over the U.S. plan to expand its anti-ballistic missile system to Poland and the Czech Republic are reported too. Journalists primarily criticize the US president for underestimating the "threat" coming from Moscow. It is clear as day that Russia will allocate more and more funds for modernizing its defense industry in the shortest possible time. It is just as obvious that Bush's inability over the years to stop Russia's growing clout was his greatest failure rather than the Iraq war. (Parnu Postimees, February 16).
LATVIA
The local media regard Vladimir Putin's visit to the Middle East in the context of his recent Munich speech. They describe the president's three-day tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan as "historic and turning a new page in Russia's relations with the Gulf countries. It is in this region, which traditionally was looked upon as a sphere of political and military influence of the United States, that Vladimir Putin is starting to implement his "Munich strategy," declaring Russia's rejection of a unipolar world order. For their part, the Gulf countries, annoyed by the policy pursued by the U.S. in the region in the last few years, are willing to show they are ready to distance themselves from America." (Business&Baltia, February 14).
The Estonian parliament's decision to demolish the monument to the Soldier-Liberator in the center of Tallinn has sparked a noisy response in the Latvian media. "The monument to Soviet soldiers became the focal point of the Estonian election campaign and gave Russia a pretext to accuse this country of 'reviving Nazism', because Estonian parliamentarians voted for removing the monument from the center of the capital...Estonia has lately become a favorite scapegoat for Moscow, which in this way expresses its indignation over its waning influence in this former Soviet republic." (Diena, February 16).
LITHUANIA
Vladimir Putin's recent talks with Middle Eastern, Indian and Chinese leaders are more perilous than the Russian president's Munich speech, according to some of the local media.
"The Russian boss, speaking in the security services jargon he knows so well, started recruiting quite openly not only other countries aspiring to be world power centers but also allies of the United States. This time Putin is offering attractive commercial projects tailored to each individual country rather than ideological opposition to the West." (Lietuvas Ritas, February 19).
Experts say that the Lithuanian president's proposal to supply Belarus with oil as an alternative to the Russian deliveries was realistic and politically justified. Lithuania, instead of becoming a transit country, had better set up an infrastructure and logistics sites for further servicing international transport companies, they said. This will give Vilnius a special role in Europe.
"So what if Lithuania becomes a transit country? It was traditionally perceived as such, but we will profit by generating added value in our state and offering reliable services. We are certain Lithuania can become a European warehouse on the Russian border. Foreign companies will be safer storing their goods in Lithuania, a European Union and NATO member, rather than Russia." (Verslo Zinios, February 15).
UKRAINE
The Ukrainian media are alarmed by a suggestion of the Russian parliament deputy Valery Yazev, known for his close contacts with the Gazprom gas monopoly. He came up with an initiative to start direct gas supplies to Ukraine through Gazpromexport, a Gazprom subsidiary.
"If the 'opaque' RosUkrEnergo sells gas for $130 and the 'transparent' Gazprom will not accept less than $230, does Ukraine truly need such 'transparency'?" (Podrobnosti.ua, February 15).
Some media hailed the initiative of Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus endorsed by his Ukrainian counterpart Viktor Yushchenko. Adamkus offered to coordinate the efforts of oil transit states to resist pressure from Russia. However many observers appealed to Yushchenko, warning him to be cautious in joining any anti-Russian alliances. Apart from the inevitable costs of building new pipelines and terminals, Kiev may face new economic sanctions from Moscow. (Oligarh.net, February 16).
MOLDOVA
The local media are up in arms over Russia's delay in lifting the ban on wine imports from Moldova. "Why has Chisinau received not a single document with complaints from the Russian side supported by laboratory data? Who will cover the losses of Moldovan producers? Why is Moscow delaying the resumption of imports? Finally, was the embargo a political measure?" (Moldova Suverana, February 15).
ARMENIA
The media give a pessimistic evaluation of prospects for strategic cooperation with Russia.
"Unfortunately, there is every reason to assume that the Russian military forces will not support Armenia in the event of a war with Azerbaijan or Turkey...So, what's the point of a strategic partnership with Russia? The U.S. offers assistance in exchange for loyalty and has already made good on its promises by giving $1.5 billion to Armenia in the 15 years since independence. In contrast, Russia makes threats if Yerevan is not loyal. Georgia's example is very telling. Russia ignores the fact that the world is changing rapidly and that small countries too have a sense of dignity and will not forgive such behavior." (Voice of Armenia, February 17).
GEORGIA
Political analysts tend to justify Putin's bluntness in Munich. Russia has grown strong enough to dictate terms to the West. Russia's president has confirmed it is ready to go on the offensive.
"Russia is not going to accept rules of the game set by America and its allies. Russia is a growing economic phenomenon... Whatever happens to the price of oil, it will not fall so low as to damage Russia's economy. Russia has much influence on the Islamic world and strong friendly relations with China and North Korea. It is investing $8 billion in North Korea to stop it from pressing on with its nuclear program. In short, all of them are indebted to Russia, and it is a strong player on today's international political stage. It is in this context that Russia afforded to challenge the West and criticize U.S. policies." (Sakartvelos Respublica, February 15).
Experts express perplexity at President Putin's choice of his new defense minister. The Russian president has made an odd decision to replace hawkish Sergei Ivanov, supported by Russia's military top brass, with Federal Tax Service head Anatoly Serdyukov, a man who knows nothing about military matters." (Sakartvelos Respublica, February 17).
AZERBAIJAN
The media believe that Russia's plan to upgrade weapons and technology at its military base in Gyumri, in Armenia, is a potential threat to Azerbaijan's security.
"In the context of all the concern over the United States' intention to build an anti-ballistic-missile system on Russia's doorstep, Vladimir Mikhailov, head of the Russian Air Force, announced in Yerevan that his country plans to modernize its air defense system in Armenia... The South Caucasus is about to witness a massive military build-up in that country. It goes without saying that the announcement is perceived in Armenia as a sign of Russia's support in the event of a resumption of military action in Karabakh." (Echo, February 17).
KAZAKHSTAN
A bill on demolition of Soviet monuments, adopted by the Estonian parliament, has provoked hot debate in Kazakhstan. Pro-government media say that Kazakh MPs are preparing a note of protest while independent media condemn such calls as interference "in a foreign conflict."
"It is for Estonia and Russia to solve this problem. There is no need to artificially involve Kazakhstan. Diplomats and politicians of the two countries have been at odds for a long time... We see the anti-Estonian hysteria intensifying in Russia, with various counterterrorist threatening activities held in Moscow; and the voices of Russian politicians sound like metal rattling every time Estonia is mentioned. This reminds us of the first Chechen campaign, when Ichkeria's [as Chechens call their republic] towns and villages were bombed."(Turkistan, February 17).
KYRGYZSTAN
Some media express dissatisfaction with the status of the country in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a regional economic grouping set up in 2001. "Practically all capitals of the SCO member countries host the main structures of the organization, while Kyrgyzstan is an exception. Russia has its economic structures, China administrative, Uzbekistan its military, and Kazakhstan has banks. But Kyrgyzstan has nothing to mark it as an SCO member. [The sixth member of SCO is Tajikistan.] (Alas, February 15).
According to some media, the issue of the migration of the Russian-speaking population to Russia has become especially acute in a number of Kyrgyz regions. The flow of migrants is increasing, of which many are not "labor migrants." "Sixty-seven residents of the Osh Region left for Russia for permanent residence in January 2007 alone. But now whole families, rather than lone individuals, tend to leave. Many citizens of our country are going to Russian cities with the only purpose of obtaining Russian citizenship." (Obshchestvenny Reiting, February 16).
UZBEKISTAN
The Russian population in Central Asia has found itself in a hostile environment, and sooner or later they will have to leave, some media write. "Russian-speakers found themselves in a position of an ethnic minority... Preferential treatment for locals in privatization and business, and the destruction of companies that employed mainly Russian-speakers have worsened the life of the Russian-speaking population, which has significantly decreased of late." (Fergana.ru, February 15).
TAJIKISTAN
Experts conclude that Russia's Gazprom is becoming increasingly dependent on Turkmenistan.
"It is largely due to the gas supplies from Turkmenistan that Russia has been filling the gap between its gas exports and Gazprom's own extraction volume... Positioned perfectly on the world financial market today, Gazprom is likely to face increasing dependence on Turkmen gas in the medium future due to its current ability to build up its own extraction by no more than 0.5%... Thus, Turkmenistan will play an increasing role in the gas balance of Russia and the entire European and Asian environment."(ASIA-Plus, February 16.)
The project by Norilsk Nickel, Russia's metals giant, to develop the Bolshoi Kanimansur complex metal deposit by open-cast mining may seriously damage Tajikistan's national cultural heritage, according to the media.
"Kanimansur is a unique monument. A number of historical sources suggest that when Sogdiana [the ancient Greek name for the Suguda region, which used to stretch across the modern territories of Tajikistan, south Uzbekistan and north Afghanistan] resisted the army of Alexander the Great, the well-known silver deposits were already being developed. Kanimansur has to be developed in such a way as not to destroy the unique ancient mines. Kanimansur should be preserved as part of Tajikistan's national cultural heritage." (Fakty I Kommentarii, February 15).
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