ESTONIA
The media blame the Kremlin for encouraging anti-Estonian actions in Russia. "In 99% of cases, Russian politicians have accused Estonians of pro-Nazi attitudes and discrimination against Russians [in Estonia]... The Kremlin and its loyal media are fanning unhealthy attitudes." (Eesti Paevaleht, December 13).
Newspapers have lashed out at the Russian security services, which ostensibly determine political life in Russia. "Under the Soviet communist dictatorship, the Communist Party decided everything, while the KGB carried out its orders. Under Putin's dictatorship, the KGB-based machine decides everything, and pro-Kremlin United Russia party carries out its orders by pushing decisions through the State Duma... The U.S.S.R. is no more but the KGB is back, although under a different name. Despite having been split into the FSB (Federal Security Service), SVR (Foreign Intelligence Service), FSO (Federal Guards Service), FAPSI (Federal Agency for Communications and Information), etc., this KGB has penetrated the business world, presidential entourage, government, and Russian expatriate associations operating abroad under the aegis of embassies, as well as the mafia and other criminal groups." (Eesti Paevaleht, December 18).
LITHUANIA
The media are applauding the sale of the Mazeikiu Nafta oil refinery to Poland's PKN Orlen as a means of guaranteeing Lithuania's national security by helping it end its excessive dependence on Russian energy. "Experts have already called this deal the best Lithuania has ever concluded. It will receive almost 2.2 billion litai for the oil refinery... Lithuania and Poland have shown Europe how to resist Russia's energy blackmail." (Lietuvos Rytas, December 16). "If the Poles had not bought the Lithuanian oil company, it would have been destroyed by Russian giant LUKoil. PKN Orlen head Igor Chalupets warned that the Polish victory has left some very strong interested parties still standing on the battlefield, and they will continue trying to harm Mazeikiu Nafta." (Respublika, December 15).
The new price of gas for Lithuania announced by Gazprom has not caused much of a stir in the press. "Gas prices are linked with European prices for fuel oil... Viktoras Valentukevicius, general director of Lietuvos Dujos, a Lithuanian gas importer and transporter, said the price is good because it could have been even higher." (Lietuvos Rytas, December 14).
UKRAINE
The media have been writing that in the current international situation, Kiev could put its trump cards to better use in the game with Moscow. "The [Yushchenko-Putin] summit in Kiev on December 22 may be a success for Ukraine. Today, Russia is quite vulnerable in the global arena: the Kremlin has failed in its talks with the EU, and the world is indignant at the murder of Anna Politkovskaya and the mysterious death of ex-FSB agent Alexander Litvinenko. Putin is not likely to risk tarnishing his image even further by putting pressure on Ukraine," (Delovaya Stolitsa, December 18).
ARMENIA
Journalists are very pessimistic about Russia's future. They think Armenia and its Caucasian neighbors should opt for integration into Europe. "Russia has not chosen to modernize. Its government leaders, political elite, and big business have neither the intellectual potential nor the desire to go through with modernization. Russia has a huge territory, numerous nations and religions, and a disastrous demographic situation. It would be no exaggeration to say that in the next few years, Russia will be in for another collapse... Russia will 'explode' in 30 to 40 years. We have a chance to save ourselves if we and our four neighbors take steps towards integration with Europe." (Aravot, December 13).
The press views Georgia's actions as a toughening of its blockade of Armenia, and it is urging the authorities to revise their position on the Tbilisi-Moscow conflict. "As soon as Tbilisi learnt about the failure of Russia's recent attempts to halt Azerbaijani gas supplies to Georgia, it stopped allowing Russian military aircraft to fly to Armenia... Georgia took this step in response to the generosity displayed by 'fraternal Azerbaijan' because he who pays the piper calls the tune. Instead of saving Georgia from the energy blockade, Turkey and Azerbaijan demanded that it prevent Russian aircraft from flying to Gyumri [military base]... Armenia should draw conclusions from this incident, and revise its policy towards Georgia." (Hayots Ashkhar, December 13).
Analysts point out that because of the Russian-Georgian conflict, Azerbaijan is becoming a no less important partner for the Kremlin than Armenia.
"Georgia's de facto withdrawal from the zone of Russian geopolitical influence, its obvious desire to join NATO, and its undisguised anti-Russian policy have compelled Russia to take on Azerbaijan as a second strategic ally in the South Caucasus on a par with Armenia." (168 zham, December 13).
GEORGIA
The media have given extensive coverage to the Kremlin's efforts to find its own version of a settlement for Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which calls for creating a Georgian confederation. "It is not up to Moscow to decide Georgia's territorial arrangement... If Russia so wishes, it may use the Kosovo model on its own territory." (Rezonansi, December 13). "What do you want us to say? Commenting on crazy ideas makes no sense." (Akhali Versia, December 18).
Most analysts believe that by suggesting a confederation for Georgia, Russia will harm itself because this will step up centrifugal processes on its own territory and "...will boomerang against Russia - tomorrow or the next day the same arrangement will be demanded by North Caucasian nations - people from Dagestan, Ingushetia, and Adygea...The current tranquility in Chechnya will not last forever. More remote Tatarstan will not sit still, either." (Sakartvelos Respublica, December 14).
AZERBAIJAN
The media have been criticizing Russia for its political support of North Korea. "Concerned about Washington's recent hinting at separate talks with Pyongyang, Moscow said it was 'not going to give the Americans a monopoly on contacts with North Korea outside the six-party format..." Recently, Moscow has been bending over backwards to save Pyongyang from international pressure." (Echo, December 16).
The opposition press predicts that Azerbaijan's refusal to join Russia's anti-Georgian campaign will take away the Kremlin's motivation to step up the search for a peaceful settlement in Nagorny Karabakh. "After Baku's refusal to take part in Russia's 'crusade' against Georgia, even a partial, albeit temporary, settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict has lost any practical significance for the Kremlin. Russia has decided to take revenge by pressuring Azerbaijan as well as Georgia." (Zerkalo, December 16).
KAZAKHSTAN
The media have been paying a lot of attention to the purchase by India's Mittal Investments of 50% of the shares in LUKoil's Kazakh "daughter," Caspian Investments Resources (CIR). Pointing to the economic absurdity of the deal (CIR was sold for the same sum that the Russian oil giant paid for it a year ago), the majority of experts believe that its purpose is to accelerate LUKoil's expansion in Asia. "Despite clear short-term drawbacks, this sale must have a number of long-term benefits for LUKoil. It will remain the project's operator but only invest half of what it did before. In addition, LUKoil may be trying to enter India's oil-and-gas industry." (Nomad, December 14).
"The resale of some of LUKoil's Kazakh assets is part of a bigger trend that will become clear in the next few weeks or at most months. After CIR, oil companies Karazhanbasmunai and Mangistaumunaigaz, which together produce over 10 million tons of oil, will be sold as well. The Chinese and Russians will buy the two latter assets - all these deals are politically interrelated." (Kompromat.kz, December 15).
KYRGYZSTAN
The media have been writing about the complete lack of rights for guest workers in Russia. They quote Kyrgyz citizens who have worked there. "Sagyn, guest worker: 'I was subjected to endless humiliation in Moscow! I couldn't walk in the street without being stopped by the police, whom I had to pay. Employers also ripped us off more than once.' Marat, guest worker: 'I took the dirtiest jobs in Russia for two years. I find it hard and painful to recall all the humiliation I endured in Russia. This is worse than slavery because they exploit you and don't even treat you as a human.'" (Enesai, December 15).
UZBEKISTAN
Commentators have criticized European experts for using double standards to assess the situation in Central Asian republics. They believe that these experts resort to undisguised propaganda without citing any evidence to prove their allegations. "Now the West is fond of Kazakhstan, which has ostensibly become a model for others to follow. It is strange, but only recently Europe and the U.S. were making a big fuss of 'Kazakh-gate' and hailing Kyrgyzstan as an 'island of democracy.' Now everything is the other way around... Michael Hall [Director of the International Crisis Group on Central Asia] did not forget to lash out at Uzbekistan. In his opinion, the republic makes money exclusively from sales of gas, gold, and cotton, but the public gets no benefits from this because all funds go to officials... It would be interesting to know whether Mr. Hall reads newspapers, not to mention official statistics. If he did, he would learn that Uzbekistan... is doing a lot to eliminate the dependence of its economy on raw materials, which only other countries profit from." (Vesti.uz, December 13).
TAJIKISTAN
The media have written a lot about Tajik organizations that defend the rights of guest workers. "It is not the government or any other authority, but individuals who are working toward this end... Tajik migrants have no legal protection from their arrival in Russia until their last minutes on Russian soil. Employees of the Tajikistan Fund often visit facilities where people sentenced to deportation from Russia are being kept in appalling conditions." (Biznes i Politika, December 14).
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