31.08.2009
Eurasia: News In Review
Central Asia and Eastern Europe
and their Relations with Russia
July-August, 2009The 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. Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz leader re-elected amid charges of widespread fraud
The leader of Kyrgyzstan, a strategically important ex-Soviet state courted by both Moscow and Washington, kept his grip on power Friday in an election that monitors said was marred by massive fraud. The Battle over Kyrgyz Minds
Kyrgyzstan has been playing its geopolitical cards well. Having taken a large financial package from Russia to close down the U.S. base at Manas, critical for the American campaign in Afghanistan, Bishkek then turned around and allowed the Americans to re-open the facility at a higher rent. Strategic Issues, Not Abuses, Are U.S. Focus in Kyrgyzstan
"You know what this is for," Emilbek Kaptagaev recalled being told by the police officers who snatched him off the street. No other words, just blows to the head, then all went black. Mr. Kaptagaev, an opponent of Kyrgyzstan's president, who is a vital American ally in the war in nearby Afghanistan. Kyrgyz Election, Tulips Squashed
TO NOBODY'S surprise, Kyrgyzstan's incumbent president, Kurmanbek Bakiev, won re-election for another five-year term on July 23rd. Even the percentage of people of who voted for him—76.4—was standard for a former Soviet republic. Georgia Oppostition arrests, beatings spark fresh controversy
Less than one month after Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili pledged to step up democratic reforms, human and civil rights monitors state that a disturbing pattern of arrests, beatings and kidnappings involving opposition members and supporters has developed in Georgia over the past four months. Georgians question alliance with the US
While the US is sending marines to Georgia to train a Georgian battalion, set to be deployed on a mission in Afghanistan next spring, ordinary people in Georgia are not so sure the country has chosen the right friend. Georgians Want US on Their Border
Georgian leaders hope the United States will join the European Union's monitoring effort along the boundary with two breakaway Georgian enclaves, a step they believe could deter aggression from Russian or separatist forces. New draft law tightens grip on Georgian opposition
It is about to get harder and more dangerous to protest against the political regime in Georgia as the government has drafted a law introducing tougher penalties and new restrictions on rallies and demonstrations. An Insider's Perspective on Georgia
The conference focused especially how governments in the region can best respond to such transnational problems as terrorism, piracy, migration pressures, and the spread of disease. US/Russian tensions rise over Georgia
A U.S. warship anchored off Georgia for joint military exercises Tuesday while Russian jets pounded mock targets nearby in a sign of lingering tensions over the former Soviet nation turned U.S. ally. Opposition Comments on Saakashvili's Address
His address confirmed once again that he is not capable to adequately assess the crisis which we have in the country; he can not understand that moving local elections four months earlier will not help to resolve this crisis. Opposition Leaders Comment on Meeting with Biden
Four opposition politicians, who met with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said that issues related with the country's security and democratization were discussed. Georgian official backs off troop training comment
Georgia's defense minister asserted Friday that U.S. training for his Afghanistan-bound troops could also be put to use in any new flare-up with Russia, then retracted the statement amid American handwringing. Georgia Again Fines Russian TV Networks
Georgian National Communications Commission said it had fined five Russian companies with GEL 50,000 each (up to USD 30,000) for unauthorized broadcasting in breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia. EU extends Georgia mission, holds off on U.S. joining
EU nations on Monday extended their ceasefire monitoring in Georgia for a year but delayed any move to invite other countries, including the United States, to join the mission. Georgian Opposition Takes Time Out
The Georgian opposition parties that launched open-ended protests on April 9 in the hope of forcing President Mikheil Saakashvili to resign have suspended their daily protests until September. Flawed Support for Georgia
The editorial "Mr. Biden's Diplomacy," calling for U.S. personnel to be part of an European Union monitoring mission on Georgia's borders, was based on an incorrect premise and reflects Georgia's continued effort to rewrite the history of last year's war. Georgia Accuses Russia of Trying to Seize More Land
Georgia accused Russia on Monday of trying to take more territory outside the breakaway province of South Ossetia as tensions rose before the first anniversary of the Russian-Georgian war last summer. Investors sense fresh chances in Georgia
Georgia's double-digit economic growth promised rich rewards for foreign investors. But when war broke out a year ago, the risks were brought home very starkly to Rakia. Three of its employees were killed when the Russians bombed the Black Sea port of Poti. U.S. to Resume Training Georgian Troops
The United States will resume a combat training mission in the republic of Georgia to prepare Georgian troops for counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan, a U.S. Defense Department. Abkhazia, S. Ossetia Abkhazia
This issue of the Caucasus Analytical Digest analyzes the political developments in Abkhazia. Specifically, it considers the prospect of Abkhazia's integration in Europe and features opinions on Georgia's relationship with Abkhazia and the joint border-protection agreement between Russia and Abkhazia. Georgia Tries To Enforce Blockade On Rebel Regions
A Georgian court has remanded in custody the Turkish captain of a tanker detained this week delivering fuel to the breakaway region of Abkhazia, as Tbilisi tries to enforce a blockade on Russian-backed separatists. Russia to stop Georgian border guards from detaining ships in 'Abkhaz waters'
The Russian FSB (Federal Security Service) Coastguard, together with the Abkhaz border guards, will ensure the security of vessels entering Abkhaz territorial waters against their detention by Georgia. In part this is being done as part of the preparations for the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. Rebel S.Ossetia wants unity with Russia, more troops
A year after Russia and Georgia fought a war over South Ossetia, the leader of the rebel enclave said he wanted to unite his people with Russia and called on the Kremlin to deploy more troops and weapons. Georgia's rebel regions one year after war
The Russian-backed rebel regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia were recognized by Moscow as independent states after a five-day war last August with Georgia. Russia to boost Abkhazia presence
Russia is to spend almost $500m next year reinforcing its military bases in Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia, the prime minister says. South Ossetia Tries to Disarm Its Citizens
For years, there was not much difference between a civilian and a soldier in South Ossetia. Now, with Russia guaranteeing its security, South Ossetia is asking residents to turn in their weapons voluntarily. Abkhazia says Georgia resumes spy flights
Breakaway Abkhazia accused Georgia yesterday of resuming spy-plane flights in preparation for an attack on the rebel region, a charge Tbilisi "categorically" denied. Russian president in unexpected visit to Georgian rebel region
The unannounced visit came less than a month before the anniversary of the war between Russia and Georgia, after which Russia recognized South Ossetia and another rebel region, Abkhazia, as independent states. Saakashvili: Medvedev's S.Ossetia Trip 'Shameful, Immoral'
President Saakashvili said that his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Tskhinvali and his meeting with local secessionist leader Eduard Kokoity, whom Saakashvili described as "unwashed, murderer" and "corrupt criminal", was "the most immoral and shameful precedent in centuries." Ukraine
Approval Ratings in Ukraine, Russia Highlight Differences
Eighty-five percent of Ukrainians in May told Gallup they disapprove of the job performance of their country's leadership, up from 75% in 2008 and 73% in 2007. The 4% of Ukrainians who approve is not only the lowest rating Gallup has ever measured in former Soviet countries, but also the lowest in the world.
Relations between Russia and Ukraine: a New Era Must Begin
Russian President discusses the current condition of relations between Russia and the Ukraine suggesting the beginning of a new era. Address to the President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko
Problems in bilateral cooperation have, of course, existed before. This was natural following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, when we had to develop relations between two sovereign states. Who Patronizes the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists
In June, 2009 Polish priest Tadeusz Isakowicz-Zaleski organized a protest rally in front of the Ukrainian Embassy in Krakow against Yushchenko's politics of extolling the fighters from the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. The protesters also criticized the Polish administration which persistently ignores the problem. A Quiet Push Into the Russian Sphere of Influence
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev blasted his Ukrainian counterpart, Viktor Yushchenko, on Tuesday, blaming him for creating the worst strain in Russo-Ukrainian relations since the fall of the Soviet Union. A Dump for Unpopular Politicians
Russia's latest gesture toward Ukraine shows that Moscow still has no diplomats to spare for its NATO-aspiring neighbor. However, it has plenty of former ministers to go around. Ukraine's Tymoshenko calls for 'reset' of ties with Russia
Ukraine should build relations with Russia on principles of equality without sacrificing national interests, which would require a "resetting." Ukrainian Reactions to the Obama-Medvedev Summit
U.S. President Barack Obama's first summit meeting in Moscow with Russian leaders did not warrant headlines in the Ukrainian media. The top story, understandably, continued to be the seemingly unending political crisis in the country. Biden in Ukraine to assure leaders of U.S. backing
Vice-President Joe Biden arrived in Ukraine on Monday to reassure its leaders Washington has not forgotten the ex-Soviet republic following President Barack Obama's push to improve ties with neighboring Russia. Stop infighting, Biden tells Ukraine's leaders
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden chided Ukraine's political leaders on Wednesday, telling them they had to stop "posturing" if the country was to seal its post-Soviet independence and economic development. Ukraine police stop Russian convoys, tension rises
Ukrainian police on Thursday halted convoys of Russian military vehicles in the town hosting the Kremlin's Black Sea Fleet, the latest in a series of incidents boosting tension between the two neighbors. Russia admits violation in Ukraine base incident
Russia made a rare admission on Sunday that it had violated Ukrainian law by trying to transport cruise missiles outside its Black Sea naval base of Sevastopol. Analysis by Former Diplomats and Leading Experts
Ukraine remains mired in a deepening political crisis with seemingly intractable conflicts in the parliament and between the executive and the legislature paralyzing governance. The country is also gearing up for presidential elections in January 2010. European Gas Crisis Is Less Likely After Ukraine Deal
Europe is less likely to suffer shortages in Russian natural gas supply this year after Ukraine signed an agreement with the European Commission and international financial institutions. Questions Surround Gas Deal Brokered by E.U. for Ukraine
International banks have agreed to lend Ukraine about $1.7 billion to pay its gas bills to Russia and, at the same time, to drastically overhaul the country's murky energy sector. Show Us Reforms and We'll Show You the Money
The European Union, which receives most of its Russian natural gas imports via Ukrainian pipelines, is trying to prevent the next in what's becoming the annual Moscow/Kyiv gas standoff, one that last year left much of Europe with energy shortages in January. Baltics and E. Europe Russian Journalist Not Allowed Into Lithuania
The editor in chief of Russia's Regnum Information Agency, Modest Kolerov, has been prevented from entering Lithuania by train despite having a valid Shengen visa in his passport. Top US official to make rare Belarus visit
A top US official is to make a rare visit to Belarus Friday, the Belarussian foreign ministry said, as President Alexander Lukashenko seeks a rapprochement with the West after years in the cold. Belarus agrees to regular contacts with US
Belarus said Friday it agreed to maintain regular contacts with the United States, following rare talks with a top US official as Minsk seeks a rapprochement with the West after years in the cold. Belarus prefers Russia to the West
The President of Belarus is ready to mend ties with Russia after a period of maneuvering between Moscow, Europe and the US. Anxiety and Recommitment in Russia's Neighborhood
An unusual episode in international politics took place last week, days before Vice President Joe Biden embarked on his trip to Ukraine and Georgia this Monday. Several former politicians and other prominent figures from Eastern and Central Europe, including former Polish President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa and former Czech President and Playwright Vaclav Havel. Moldova leader warns opponents in tense polls
The strongman leader of Moldova on Wednesday warned the opposition against any repeat of post-election unrest as Europe's poorest country went to the polls for the second time in four months. No End Of Frozen Conflict In Moldova's Transdniester
Forlorn concrete apartment blocks greet visitors just across the heavily guarded border of this lush sliver of land along the Dniester River. Elderly men push baby carriages through the half-abandoned streets: it's mostly the very young and old who remain in breakaway Transdniester. Urbane economist holds key to forming Moldova coalition
Marian Lupu has been tipped as Moldova's kingmaker ever since he quit the Communists in the wake of disputed elections in April. Following last week's re-run of the parliamentary elections, neither the pro-Russian Communists nor the pro-western liberals hold the 61 seats needed to elect a replacement for Vladimir Voronin, the hardline president. Central Asia To Silence or Not to Silence: Blogging in Kazakhstan
At the end of April the Majilis, Kazakhstan's lower chamber of Parliament, unanimously passed draft amendments to the media law which, if enacted, would give authorities the right to block any local or foreign website in Kazakhstan on the grounds of "violating national legislation. Caspian oilfield is Big Oil's new energy frontier
Face wrapped in a thick scarf against clouds of blinding dust, the electrician gazed at a maze of pipes and pumps teeming with 15,000 workers and said his work was like building the Tower of Babel. Central Asia Sounds Alarm on Islamic Radicalism
Senior officials and analysts across Central Asia have said in recent weeks that there is evidence that some Central Asians who were allied with the Taliban are retreating from Afghanistan because of pressure from the NATO mission there. Russian, Tajik Presidents Unveil Joint-Venture Power Plant
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev have officially unveiled the fourth and last facility of the Sangtuda-1 Hydropower Plant, 160 kilometers south of the Tajik capital, Dushanbe. Medvedev in Central Asia to bolster Russian clout
President Dmitry Medvedev Friday opened a major Russian-owned hydroelectric plant in Tajikistan and headed to a regional summit as Moscow seeks to firm its influence in the region. Central Asia's Northern Exposure
Russian agreement to allow U.S. military over-flight rights to ferry lethal goods to Afghanistan was one of the signal achievements of the recent meetings in Moscow between Presidents Barack Obama and Dimtri Medvedev. Reclusive Turkmenistan cracks open the door
Four white-marble hotels opened here in June on a spit of sand by a landlocked sea — the beginnings of what is billed as Central Asia's answer to Las Vegas, an opulent $5 billion oasis of seaside villas, casinos, an artificial island and a ski center. Turkmenistan: Reverse Student Travel Ban
Turkmen authorities should immediately revoke a new travel ban imposed on students bound for foreign private universities, Human Rights Watch said today. Turkmenistan should also end new, burdensome requirements for studying abroad that violate the rights to freedom of movement and to education. Old allies signal loyalty to Russia has its limits
The Kremlin will find it hard to ignore the absence of half the leaders of the former Soviet Union from an informal summit in Moscow last weekend, at a time when Europe is developing its interests in Russia's "back yard." Plans move ahead for highway around Black Sea
Russia is the ninth country to approve plans to build a highway encircling the Black Sea, Gazeta.ru writes, as Russian Transportation Minister Igor Levitin submitted the interstate memorandum to the government on Thursday. The plan was introduced by Russia in 2006 and was signed by eight countries before it. Language Row Riles Russians
Over a month after President Imomali Rahmon suggested abolishing Russian as a language of "interethnic communication," Tajikistan remains abuzz with hype and fear about the potential change. Officials in Dushanbe argue that a policy alteration is needed to bolster Tajikistan's sovereignty. Top US general visits Uzbekistan for security talks
Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov met Tuesday with US General David Petraeus underlining that the strategic Central Asian state seeks closer ties with Washington. Top US general visits Uzbekistan for security talks
Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov met Tuesday with US General David Petraeus, the US embassy said, underlining that the strategic Central Asian state seeks closer ties with Washington. Likely New U.S. Diplomat For Eurasia 'Gets Things Done'
The United States will soon have a new deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs. The man who is vacating the post after four years, Matthew Bryza, has announced he will be replaced by Tina Kaidanow, a longtime diplomat with more than 10 years of experience in the Balkans.
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