16.07.2008
Eurasia: News In Review
Central Asia and Eastern Europe
and their Relations with Russia
June, 2008The 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. For more reviews, see the newsletter for this corresponding month. To receive the free monthly newsletter and obzori by email, simply sign up. Regional Issues
Medvedev Kicks Off Own Foreign Policies Knocked Out the Lid and Zeroed Out
Instead of forging brotherly relations, nations must learn the art of neighborly relations, especially when it comes to their relationship with Russia. Medvedev Faces Tough Talks With Georgian, Ukrainian, Turkmen Leaders
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is set to meet CIS leaders at bilateral meetings on June 6-7 on the sidelines of an economic forum in his native St. Petersburg. Medvedev on Caspian tour to talk gas
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is going on a tour of the Caspian region tomorrow, taking in Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan. Moscow Looks To Expand Military Presence In Central Asia
Russian media quoted Russian Air Force commander Colonel General Aleksandr Zelin as saying Moscow will deploy more personnel and equipment to its air base outside the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. Russian becomes enemy language in former USSR
The Russian administration has decided to do everything possible to make Russian the official language in all countries of the former USSR. US Explains Policy on Frozen Conflicts and Closed Borders
The wave of democracy that swept from Central to Eastern Europe in 1989 has yielded astonishing and successful results… The SCO and Foreign Powers in Central Asia
As the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) regional role has been increasing in past few years, the differences and ambitions among its member states are becoming more evident as well. Softer Russian Power
Moscow once extended its reach through schools and language. No more. Russia Needs Open Borders
In Russia, that tradition, founded by Peter I, survived until the last Russian tsar, Nicholas II. Today it has been forgotten. Kazakhstan
Attempts to Improve Business Positioning Kazakhstan Joined WPC
KazEnergy association of oil, gas and energy companies of Kazakhstan joins the World Petroleum Consortium. A Single Economic Space in a Pipeline
Russia and Kazakhstan discuss joint economic and infrastructure development. Kazakhstan Fixes Its Tax Code
The country plans to ease the tax burden on business, compensating for it by sharply increasing taxes on mineral users Medvedev Visit Underscores Kazakh Victory Over Uzbekistan For Regional Dominance
Nearly eight years ago, another new Russian president, Vladimir Putin, went to Uzbekistan on his first official visit abroad after being inaugurated. Turkmenistan
Ties to Russia Strengthened Dragon Oil tests Turkmenistan well
"This is the fifth well we have completed this year on schedule and in line with Dragon Oil's drilling program." Turkmenistan to launch Russia gas pipeline in 2010
Russia agreed with Turkmenistan and two other Central Asian nations in 2007 to construct a new pipeline allowing Moscow to keep Central Asian gas flows under its control. Turkmenistan Buys Russian Weapons
It is the first major arms deal Ashgabat has made in a decade and its first major deal with Russia. The value of the contract may be as high as $70 million. GAZ intends to supply public transportation vehicles to Turkmenistan
Sergey Zanozin visited Ashgabat as part of the Russian official delegation accompanying President Dmitriy Medvedev during his official visit to Turkmenistan on July 5-6. Turkmenistan frees RFE/RL radio reporter
RFE/RL said last month Sazak Durdymuradov, a contributing reporter on its Turkmen service, was detained and tortured after he refused to stop working for the Prague-based broadcaster. Turkmenistan's Drug Problem
Efforts to curb illegal drug use and trafficking are failing to tackle this growing problem in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan to develop program to support domestic food production
The president also instructed relevant officials to allocate plots of land in every region for construction of greenhouses to grow vegetables, fruits, melons and gourds. Lithuania
Relations Thaw With Russia Lithuania Bisected Nationality
The Lithuanian Seimas has revised the Citizenship Act so that only the Lithuanians, residents of the EU and NATO states may have the Lithuanian citizenship. Lithuania Lifts Veto
Lithuania no longer blocks the start of negotiations between the European Commission and Russia on concluding a new partnership and cooperation agreement. Lithuania Thawed Permafrost
Today the Russia-EU summit starts in Khanty-Mansiysk where Dmitry Medvedev debuts as Russia's President. Kyrgyzstan
Loses National Hero Kyrgyzstan Starts Exporting Electricity to Kazakhstan
Due to the period of water shortage, the total volume of export will be minimum this year and will amount to about 500m kWh. Kyrgyzstan braces for power cuts, slower growth
Political stability in the volatile ex-Soviet nation depends on its economic fundamentals, especially after a wave of anti-government protests that rocked the strategically placed nation until about a year ago. Microcredit Lending Encounters Success in Central Asia
Though much maligned of late for backsliding on democratization, Kyrgyzstan has developed into an economic innovator in Central Asia. The country is presently a leader in extending microcredits to would-be entrepreneurs. "Made in Kyrgyzstan"
"The whole city sews! Ten thousand sewing machines were sold in Bishkek last year." Chingiz Aitmatov, A Modern Hero, Dies
Chingiz Aitmatov, whose mythical novels and stories were widely acclaimed in the former Soviet Union, has died. He was 79. Nine anthrax cases in south
Every year health workers vaccinate "at risk groups" - people in contact with cattle, like herders and butchers. Belarus
Putin Leads Union State Putin's Premiership Of RF-Belarus May Prove More Than Formality
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is now the head of government of the Russia-Belarus Union State. Putin appointment to Belarus post concerns US
The United States is concerned about a new sign of deepening ties between Belarus and Russia at a time of heightened tensions with both countries. It shouldn't happen to a foreign correspondent
What should have been a relatively straight forward overnight trip from Moscow to the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius to meet students and academic staff at the European Humanities University – the Belarusian university in exile – turned into an embarrassing impromptu stop over at a remote rural border crossing. Interested in Belarus? Check out this resource! Georgia
Elections, Problems in Abkhazia Patarkatsishvili's Inheritance Takes a Pill
The investigative department of the Belarusian KGB has wrapped up one case against American lawyer Emanuel Zeltser, who is incriminated in "using a forged document," that is, the purported will and executorship of Badri Patarkatsishvili. Georgia marked its Independence Day
Georgia marked the 90th anniversary of the restoration of its independence. Georgia May Support Russia for WTO
Georgia is ready to support Russia's World Trade Organization membership, if the two countries come to terms and solve the problems that hinder the development of their relations, stated Georgian Ambassador to Russia Erosi Kitsmarishvili. South Ossetia is a self-proclaimed independent country that is, in fact, neither
South Ossetia's position has lately become more precarious. Georgian Elections Georgian Democratic Elections
Georgia is a presidential republic, and the parliamentary elections, whatever the outcome, won't break the vertical of power in the country. Georgian opposition MPs to boycott parliament
Georgian opposition parties are boycotting parliament in a gamble to boost their ratings and influence in national politics. Georgian President Wins Big, But Loses Bigger, In Parliamentary Vote
Saakashvili desperately needed his party, the United National Movement, to score a definitive win. Georgia Votes in Test of Pro-Western Rose Revolution
Levan Gachechiladze, the leader of the United Opposition Council, and Saakashvili's closest rival in the January presidential election, said the election results will not reflect the true will of the people. NATO and the West Russia Risks Armed Clash in Abkhazia to Stop Georgia NATO Bid
Almost 20 years after the Cold War ended, Russia's neighbor Georgia has become a new flashpoint for tensions with the West. NATO Chief Demands Russia Withdraw Extra Troops From Abkhazia
The Russian railroad forces don't "appear to have any legal basis." The Tbilisi Post
If you were running the largest newspaper in the capital city of the world's sole superpower, which foreign-policy issues would you select as your top priorities? Russia-Abkahzia-Georgia Relations Abkhazia's tourism fights to regain fabled legacy
Russians are flocking back to the Black Sea beaches, although a string of recent bombings exposes the breakaway republic's ongoing tensions. Spiegel Interviews Abkhazian Prime Minister
"We Don't Want a War" "Russia aspires to control BTC pipeline by violating stability in Georgia"
said Zbigniew Brzezinski, former US National Security Adviser at the Senate hearings. Georgia and Russia can avoid war – if the West helps
War could mean more pressure on already sky-high oil prices. The Caucasus Geometry
Moscow will lose an instrument of exerting pressure on Georgia. Moscow can lose some of its economic preferences in Abkhazia, and some of us may lose – the sanatoriums and Black Sea beaches. Participation of Russian Military Personnel in the Restoration of Abkhazia's Railway Infrastructure
From the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Georgia Will Use "All Available Means" To Oust Russia
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili's first meeting with new Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev in early June now promises to be a fiery affair. Russia and Georgia deny Abkhazia carve-up
Since the start of this year, Russia has established semi-official links to the separatists and sent in extra troops.
Medvedev urges Abkhazia, Georgia to honor 1994 truce terms. Medvedev urges Abkhazia, Georgia to honor 1994 truce terms
Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in the early 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Between 10,000 and 30,000 people were killed in the subsequent hostilities. Abkhazia: the frozen conflict that is thawing rapidly
"They are coming practically every day now, but this one was crossing our valley so we took it out," said Alyas Tsardiya. Ukraine
Multiple Disputes With Russia Businesses finance university improvements
Businesses in Ukraine are investing more money in university classrooms, hoping to better prepare students and prospective recruits for the workplace and repair the country's ailing universities. The Ukrainian famine was not a genocide
Alexander Solzhenitsyn chimes in with his opinion on the controversy. A political soap-opera, continued
The politicians fight among themselves, and liberalising reforms cease. Russia, Ukraine Discuss Contentious Energy, Security Issues
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko in Moscow. New Twists in the Russian-Ukrainian Dispute
The Russian Foreign Ministry accused Ukraine of acting jointly with unnamed foreign companies to develop oil and gas fields illegally off the Crimean coast. Ukrainian Leaders Found Themselves on the Opposite Sides of the Pipeline
Ukraine's President Victor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko have delivered two competing energy plans for the country. NATO, EU Enlarging the European Union
Chicken or Kiev? The European Union must not abandon its most successful policy when it comes to Ukraine. Yushchenko Vows to Push Ahead With Ukraine's Bid to Join NATO
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said he is determined to bring the former Soviet republic into the European Union and NATO, widening his split with the prime minister. Moscow mayor calls for treaty with Ukraine to be torn up
On 4 June the State Duma passed a resolution which says the treaty of friendship, cooperation and partnership with Ukraine might be denounced if Ukraine joins NATO. Black Sea Fleet and Sevastopol Scandal Russians Say Sevastopol Should Be Theirs
The All-Russia Center for the Study of Public Opinion conducted a poll. Russia Stands By Moscow Mayor
Russia has taken adequate actions against a few policymakers of Ukraine in response to the ban that Kiev imposed on visits of Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov. Moscow Mayor Saves Money for Crimea
Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov urged yesterday to break the current Russia's-Ukrainian Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation and ordered $34 million appropriated to a program supporting Russians abroad in 2009 through 2011. Foreign Ministry Warned About Aftereffects of Black Sea Fleet Decree of Yushchenko
The decree demanding the withdrawal of the RF Black Sea Fleet from Ukraine "won't improve atmosphere of trust" between the nations and may impair the progress in negotiations on the issue. Black Sea Fleet Blocks WTO
After the Crimea visit of Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov and the subsequent aggravation of Russia's-Ukrainian relations, Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization may drag on indefinitely. Ukraine Would Send the Fleet to Syria
The Russian Black Sea Fleet may be transferred from Sevastopol to Syria after 2017. Ukraine says Russia cannot have more warships in Crimea
The agreement between Ukraine and Russia does not allow any increase in the number of warships, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
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