27.01.2008
Eurasia: News In Review
Central Asia and Eastern Europe
and their Relations with Russia
December-January, 2007The following resource is meant to give readers a quick overview of recent events within the FSU but outside of Russia. Much of the news here concerns how Russia and/or the US are affected by these generally small but politically, economically, and militarily important nations. This news review is part of SRAS's monthly "obzor" publications. For more reviews, see the newsletter for this corresponding month. To receive the free monthly newsletter and obzori by email, simply sign up. Lavrov Optimistic about CIS
"Russia has understandable, legal interests in the post-Soviet space and we intend to realize them." Feature: Changing Eastern European Politics The big news this month for Russia's "Near Abroad" foreign policy comes from Eastern Europe - where possible independence for Kosovo could create a precident that affects several other FSU countries - including Russia, and where Bulgaria recently made moves towards greatly strengthing ties both with Russia and West. Russia Vies With the West over Kosovo
Russia declared Wednesday that it would block Kosovo's admission to the international community if the Serb province declares independence. Bulgaria signs up for Russian gas project
President Vladimir Putin on Friday secured Bulgaria's participation in a 10-billion-euro pipeline that is intended to meet demand for natural gas in central and southern Europe and tightens Russia's hold on European energy supplies. Russia, Bulgaria Destined to Be Partners, Putin Says
The new NATO commitments of Bulgaria won’t be a barrier for extending relations with Russia, Putin said in the article released by Bulgaria’s media Thursday and dedicated to long friendship traditions and current aims of both states. Ex-Soviet leader Gorbachev blasts EU, NATO over Kosovo status
"It is an unprecedented step, which will certainly result in failure, both politically and morally," Gorbachev said in an interview with the government daily Rossiiskaya Gazeta. Tensions mount by the shores of the Black Sea
The struggle between East and West is about to envelop the entire Black Sea region during the coming year, often with military implications. Russia says an independent Kosovo can never join U.N.
As a permanent veto-wielding member of the 15-nation Security Council, which would have to approve Kosovo's U.N. membership, Moscow would have the power to block any request from Pristina to join the United Nations. Breakaway territories watch and wait
In the separatist territory of Abkhazia on the Black Sea, Moscow’s words are as welcome as winter sunshine. Love in a cold climate
A surprisingly sunny outlook for Eastern Europe. Georgia In terms of bulk, Georgia generated the most news this period, as controversial early elections placed incumbent Mikhail Saakashvili in office for another and ended a period of emergency rule declared amid protests lead by an opposition that holds that Georgia is becoming increasingly authoritarian and economicly stagnent. The elections will likely have reprecussions for Europe, the US, and Russia. - Subsection: Elections - Georgian President Elected Amid Protests
Thousands of Georgian opposition protesters denounced as fraudulent a presidential election that swept Mikhail Saakashvili to a second term, threatening instability in the former Soviet republic once considered a beacon of reform. OSCE on Georgian Elections
The report includes some of these challenges... Ballot Count Annulled at 4 Polling Stations in Georgia
Georgia’s Central Election Commission has annulled voting results in four polling stations. In one of Tbilisi stations, for instance, they lost the election documents. Patarkatsishvili Convicted in Absentia
A Tbilisi court has sentenced Georgian businessman and former presidential candidate Badri Patarkatsishvili to two months' preliminary confinement. Georgia: Exit Poll Under Fire
Opposition forces decry plans for an election day survey they say will favor Mikheil Saakashvili. Getting out of a mess in Georgia
A win for the president, and a decent result for democracy. In Georgia election, Saakashvili's mandate weakens
Mikhail Saakashvili's decision to resist authoritarianism and trust the democratic process, made amid his government's near collapse this fall, may not pan out as he had hoped. - Domestic Issues - Georgia poll puts economic revival under scrutiny
"Our family earns more money because our daughter has a job, but we pay more taxes and bills," she said. "We have the same amount of money at the end of each month, not more." Georgian TV feud mirrors poll rivalry
Georgia votes in a snap presidential election this weekend, but all TV journalist George Rukhadze wants to know is when he will get his old computer back. Nona Gaprindashvili: "They can't intimidate me. They can only kill me."
Interview with five-time women's world chess champion. Georgian Opposition Gets TV Voice
The Georgian opposition has had its first victory: there will be a reform at the pro-government Georgian Public Television. They are unlikely to be given a second round of elections, however. - Foreign Policies - Georgia to Secede from CIS at 'Advantageous Moment'
"Georgia will eventually secede from the CIS, but this decision will be made at the most advantageous moment so that it does not harm Georgia." Georgia's Saakashvili outlines future cooperation with opposition, Russia
Mikheil Saakashvili, who on 9 January was declared the winner of the 5 January snap presidential election in Georgia, has said that he will be "less radical" in his second term and that his government will be "much more all-inclusive". Political conflict between Moscow and Tbilisi will complicate Russia-US relations
... according to Ian Bremmer, the leading American expert on CIS affairs, the President of influential Eurasia Group consulting firm. Georgian Opposition Protests at U.S. Embassy
The Georgian opposition is holding a public meeting in front of the American embassy in Tbilisi to protest what they say is the United States' "cynical" attitude toward the Georgian people. Putin Congratulates Saakashvili on Win
"I congratulate you on your re-election to the post of President of Georgia," Putin wrote in his message. "It is my hope that the upcoming period will bring constructive development in the relations between our countries." Sticks and Carrots for Everyone
I would not want to view it as a challenge to Russia. Europeans had far better reasons for inviting the Georgian leader. Central Asia Turkmenistan Freezes Iran
The gas strife of Iran and Turkmenistan triggered by the halt of supplies from New Year is progressing into a gas war in the Middle East. Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan form customs union
"We hope that Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will join it as soon as they are ready." New railways to link China's Xinjiang with central Asia
Construction will hopefully start this year on two railways linking China's westernmost Xinjiang with the central Asian nations of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, sources with the regional government of Xinjiang said. Turkmenistan: 'Gas-Rich' Residents Shiver In The Cold
As Russia, Iran, China, and Europe all vie for a piece of Ashgabat's natural-gas pie, many ordinary Turkmen have been left shivering out in the cold -- despite official promises of free gas. Kyrgyzstan: New Prime Minister Makes Economy A Priority
New Prime Minister Igor Chudinov, with a career spent in energy and industry, has vowed to boost Kyrgyzstan's stagnant economy. Russia, Kyrgyzstan eye joint energy projects
Gazprom may be granted a license to develop Kyrgyzstan's hydrocarbon reserves, and start prospecting in March, Prime Minister Igor Chudinov said on Friday. Uzbek Leader Inaugurated for 3rd Term
Uzbekistan's authoritarian leader was sworn in for a third presidential term Wednesday, news reports said, despite a constitutional two-term limit. Kazakhstan to raise Central Asian gas transit fee
Kazakhstan plans to raise its fee for the transit of Turkmen and Uzbek gas to Russia to $1.4 per 1,000 cubic metres across 100 km from $1.1, a source in state oil and gas company Kazmunaigas said on Friday. Kyrgyzstan: No Work for Madrassa Graduates
A growing number of Islamic school graduates want to work as teachers in the state system, but find their qualifications are not recognised. Ukraine Whither Ukraine Investment
Foreign direct investment in Ukraine increased 50.3 percent to $2.5 billion in the first half of 2007, as compared to the same period in 2006. Unfortunately, continued growth in FDI can be jeopardized by both deeds and words. Ukraine Has Eye on NATO and Russia
Ukraine will consider Russia's security concerns as it integrates with NATO, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said in an interview with the UNIAN information agency. Ukraine Irks Russia With Push to Mark Stalin Famine as Genocide
"A special group of people was in the village taking away all the food we had,'' says Kravets, now 89, sitting in his kitchen in Kamyanets-Podilsky, 300 kilometers (186 miles) from where he almost starved to death. Russia continues to rent two radars in Ukraine
The Russian Defence Ministry has not made a decision to stop renting the Dnepr radar in Mukachevo and the one in Sevastopol from Ukraine. Yushchenko Against Making Russian the 2nd State Language
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko opposes assigning the state language status to the Russian language. Yushchenko made the respective statement during the news conference held in Kiev on Thursday. Russia Slams Ukraine Over Film Dubbing, Subtitling
(Fifth Entry) The statement suggested that the ruling is directed against Russian-language films, and that this is not the only recent case of what Moscow regards as official discrimination by the Ukrainian authorities against the use of the Russian language. Kyivites Unite to Oppose Rising Tide of Xenophobia
This week sees a major protest in downtown Kyiv designed to attract attention to the growing problem of xenophobic violence in Ukraine The Gas Is Always Greener on the Russian Side
Moscow and Kyiv have moved closer to another gas war... Ukraine wants to get rid of mediators in gas trade with Russia and increase transit rates five-fold. New Claims on the Bloc
Ukraine's plans to join NATO enrage opposition and Russia Russia Won't Rent Ukrainian Radars
In their place, the Voronesh-DM station outside Armavir, Krasnodar Territory, will cover the southwestern sector of the missile attack warning system. Timoshenko Gets Credit for Soviet Debt
Payments against the debt of the Savings Bank (Sberbank) of the USSR are continuing today in Ukraine. Baltics Pro-Kremlin youths rally against Estonia’s visa policies
Some of the Nashi activists were barred from Estonia for protesting against the removal of the Soviet Red Army war memorial from the capital Tallinn in April last year. Idiotic Nashi
An editorial from The Baltic Times out of Latvia. Lithuanian Pres. Demands Compensation
Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus told Echo of Moscow radio Monday that Russia should recognize the Soviet occupation of Lithuania and provide compensation for the losses that resulted from it. Vilnius officially assesses those losses at $28 billion. "Soviet Theme Park" Opened in Lithuania
Grutas Park offers visitors a journey back to 1984 to remind citizens what life was like under Soviet rule. Bad News Blooms in the Balitic
Can a new cleanup plan save the sea? Russia seeks better Europe ties, says Latvia
Russia is interested in improving relations with Europe in a pragmatic way and Latvia is a good example of this, according to Maris Riekstins, the country’s new foreign minister. Belarus and Moldova Belarusian president says 2007 "most difficult" in country's history
"The toughest political and economic pressure, the imposition of various sanctions, flows of lies and disinformation." Lukashenko Pledged to Make Belarus China’s Stronghold in Europe
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has declared his country’s readiness to create the most favorable conditions for Chinese investors, Interfax reported. Romanian Church v. Moldovan President
The Romanian Orthodox Church has complained to the Council of Europe accusing Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin of advancing the interests of the Russian Orthodox Church. Priests prosecuted for protesting
Moldova's Communist-led authorities have started legal proceedings against five priests who protested against religious persecution. Putin Meets with Moldovan President
Voronin was still hoping against hope that Putin might finally deliver a settlement of the Transnistria conflict on terms compatible with Moldovan sovereignty, or at least a framework for such settlement, at this meeting.
« back to News archive
|
