ESTONIA
Some newspapers are worried about Boris Berezovsky's interview with the British newspaper The Guardian, in which the oligarch-in-exile spoke about his intention to stage a coup in Russia. "We do not think that Berezovsky's words will benefit Estonian-Russian relations. The Russians know how to exploit such situations to their advantage. They may try to besmirch their 'evil' neighbors, such as Estonia, with crude propaganda." (SL Ohtuleht, April 14).
Commentators believe that the laying of the Nord Stream gas pipeline near Estonian borders will not benefit it either politically or economically. "The construction of the gas pipeline gives Russia an excuse to build up its stronger military presence in the Baltic Sea in order to protect it." (Eesti Paevaleht, April 12). "Estonia will gain nothing from the project. Gazprom's CEO said the pipeline will reduce the cost of gas transit by 6-12 percent. In effect, Estonia is subsidizing Gazprom with humanitarian aid." (Postimees, April 4).
The press has said that the Kremlin's use of force against participants in the Dissenters' March was a crude suppression of democratic values. "What have these people done wrong? They have come to the wrong place at the wrong time to voice the wrong ideas. Russia's 'sovereign democracy' has two main freedoms - the freedom to be silent and the freedom to agree." (Postimees, April 16).
LATVIA
Describing the Kremlin's response to the opposition rally as "inappropriate," the press attributes it to the government's fears of a replica of the Orange Revolution. "The authorities are afraid of the people; they are lacking confidence, and this is why there are so many policemen around." (Neatkariga rita avize, April 16). "The Kremlin has been scared by the demonstrators because of the approaching election season. Parliamentary and presidential elections are not far off." (Diena, April 16).
Journalists are analyzing the motives behind the use of special squads to scatter the demonstrators. "A knock on the head with a baton was meant to bring it home to the opposition that it will not be allowed to take part in Russian politics. The voters were told that the state's main values - order and stability - were under serious threat, and the authorities have to take tough and even merciless actions to remove it. The third target audience - the West - was informed that Russia has its own 'sovereign democracy' and will have to be reckoned with. The events of the past weekend may be viewed as a continuation of Putin's scandalous speech in Munich. Its main message is: we will teach you, if not to love us, at least to fear us." (Diena, April 17).
The media calls wishful thinking forecasts that Russia will not lay down any additional terms for ratifying the recently signed border treaty. Analysts cite the advice of Russian Ambassador to Latvia Viktor Kalyuzhny - to let non-citizens vote in the municipal elections. "Thinking that after the conclusion of the border treaty Russia will stop showering Latvia with accusations is naive - such language has already become part and parcel of Latvian-Russian relations." (Latvijas Avize, April 11).
LITHUANIA
The media are concerned about the re-export of Polish meat banned by Russia. This meat is imported by Lithuania without any restrictions, and experts fear that any resale of products made from Polish meat to Russia may spell trouble for Lithuania's entire industry. They are worried that secret transactions with this meat are already taking place in Lithuania. "We will be punished like the Poles were - they imported meat from South America, branded it as Polish, and exported it to Russia. The Russians found this out and blocked meat exports from Poland. Today, our ministry of agriculture was reprimanded by the Russian veterinary service for doing the same thing." (Verslo zinios, April 4).
The media are skeptical about Russia's declared readiness to resume oil supplies to Lithuania after the planned repairs of the Druzhba (Friendship) oil pipeline (which have not even started). "The hope that the Druzhba oil pipeline will start working again is becoming bleak. It is not possible even in theory that Lithuania's biggest company - Mazeikiu Nafta - will receive oil from it." (Respublika, April 17).
UKRAINE
The media have focused on the domestic political crisis and extrapolated it to Russia. Noting Moscow's close attention to the alignment of forces in Ukraine, experts think that the Ukrainian experience of building democracy may be useful for Russians and citizens of other CIS countries. "The likelihood of an alternative to 'managed democracy' depends on Ukraine's ability to cope with the crisis. Ukraine has a major mission to fulfill: to show that former-Soviet countries can become European democracies... There are people in Russia who want Ukraine to succeed. After all, success in Russia largely depends on progress in Ukraine." (UNIAN, April 13).
The press is furious about the suppression of the opposition demonstrations in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Analysts observe that Ukraine has a much higher level of democracy. "Looking from Kiev at Putin's sanctuary of violence, Asian-style order and imperial patriotism, where dissenters from Moscow and St. Petersburg were dragged over the asphalt and beaten with batons, we may rejoice that things at home are not all that bad." (Obozrevatel, April 16).
The media write that Russia's current political model has no future. "The government authorities in Russia are stagnating and dying out... This process resulted in the Orange Revolution in Ukraine... Putin's regime seems to be following the same path." (UAtoday, April 16).
ARMENIA
Writing about the unfavorable terms for hosting Russian bases, journalists blame Armenian government officials for acting in the best interests of Russia. "Armenia gets no money from these military facilities; moreover, it will now have to pay for some of the expenses involved in their maintenance. In order to keep the Russians happy, Armenia is giving them one strategic installation after another... Armenia stopped pursuing an independent foreign policy a long time ago." (168 zham, April 11).
GEORGIA
The press is deeply impressed by the strongly-worded statements of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who urged Moscow to respect Georgia's independence. Analysts are trying to interpret the real reasons behind Washington's aggressive move. "America is firmly defending Georgia and calling upon Russia to treat our country with respect... This is vital for Georgia. In effect, America is setting an example for others, primarily...its European partners; Washington is trying to weaken Russia's positions in the Caucasus, or is simply bargaining... Maybe, it is feigning the impression that it wants to defend us while in fact it wants to make some breakthrough on Iran or Kosovo." (24 saati, April 13). "This pronouncement by the U.S. Secretary of State has met with a very negative reaction in Russia... It appears that if someone urges Russia to refrain from humiliating its neighbors, this is interference in its domestic affairs... Interestingly, the discussion of the Georgian issue in the UN has caused palpable tension in U.S.-Russian relations." (Kviris Palitra, April 16).
AZERBAIJAN
The media are analyzing the toughening Russian-American confrontation in the former Soviet Union. "One gets the impression that the United States is a caretaker of the former Soviet republics, and is trying to make Russia realize that these new independent states are no longer in its sphere of influence. At the same time, using respect for human rights as a pretext, the U.S. does not stop flirting with separatist movements in former-Soviet republics, including even the Chechens, in order to deprive Russia of excuses to interfere in the affairs of those republics, especially Ukraine and states in the South Caucasus. Most probably, the fierce nature of this struggle is making many people uneasy." (Zerkalo, April 12).
The opposition media believe that in the future, Azerbaijan will be able to match Russia as a supplier of hydrocarbons to Europe. "It goes without saying that with the current volume of natural gas production, Azerbaijan is not likely to become a major supplier in the near future. But even today Azerbaijan produces enough gas for Georgia to completely stop importing gas from Russia... The European Union is paying special attention to hydrocarbon supplies from the Caspian. Together with Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan may help EU countries to diversify their gas imports. However, for the time being the West in general and the United States in particular can only hope for a dialogue between the Azerbaijani and Turkmen presidents. Nevertheless, the EU should not lose hope because gas projects are not short-term but run for decades ahead." (Zerkalo, April 13).
KAZAKHSTAN
The media are concerned about the abundance of local Russian-language and Russian newspapers. Commentators explain this by the limited use of the Kazakh language. "The majority of Russian publications are smuggled into Kazakhstan, bypassing customs and border controls. Some of them are useful and informative, but these are few. The bulk of the Russian press in Kazakhstan is engaged in no-holds-barred propaganda of sex and violence... This is nothing but an undisguised act of information subversion." (Zhas Kazak, April 13).
The media are analyzing the causes of the political crisis in Ukraine. "Everything started after [Yulia] Tymoshenko's return from Washington. It is rumored that she has brought back a fantastic sum for lobbying for the law to allow deployment of ABM components in Ukraine. To achieve her aim, she needs a majority that the Orange do not have in the current parliament." (Liter.kz, April 11).
UZBEKISTAN
Analysts are concerned about the recent increase in the flow of migrants to Russia and a substantial drop in the number of jobs. "It is now harder for migrants to find jobs... Won't this situation contribute to a growth in crime? The desperate unemployed often wind up in the criminal environment. At any rate, relations between the newcomers and the law-enforcement bodies leave much to be desired." (Fergana.Ru, April 16).
TAJIKISTAN
Writing about the West's growing interest in former Soviet Central Asian republics, the media predict a decline in the influence of Russia, which is still dominant in the region. "In the 1990s, the same countries - Russia, the United States, China, and Muslim nations - exerted geopolitical influence in Central Asia. Later on, the European Union joined them. Some of them are becoming more and more active in pursuing their economic and political interests in the region... Energy-related tensions between Russia and the West are compelling the EU to look for other sources of oil and gas. The plan to build the trans-Caspian Nabucco gas pipeline is already becoming a reality. It will link the EU with Central Asia, bypassing Russia." (Vechernyi Dushanbe, April 11).
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