28.02.2008
Eurasia: News In Review
Central Asia and Eastern Europe
and their Relations with Russia
February, 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. 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. Feature: Kosovo
Implications for Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia Why does the EU support independence for Kosovo?
Kosovo wants to join the European Union… That makes a big difference. Transdniestria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia do not subscribe to the Euroatlantic vision of multilateral security and law-governed political freedom. Separation Anxiety
In the week when Kosovo embarks on a path of EU-guided independence and Serbia and Russia voice angry resistance, it's worth asking whether the nationalist gunmen or the European dreamers will win the argument. Refitting Global Organizations for New Order
Kosovo's proclamation of independence has sparked a storm of debate. The main topic of discussion is how Kosovo's decision will influence other regional conflicts. Medvedev Boosts Russia-Serbia Ties, Inks Gas Deal
Dmitry Medvedev, forecast to win Russia's March 2 presidential election, threw his support behind Serbia, rejecting U.S. calls to recognize the newly independent state of Kosovo, as he signed a pipeline deal key for natural gas supplies to western Europe. Ahead of Serbian vote, the pull of Russia is felt
Serbia's drift toward Russia continued ahead of the country's presidential election with the news that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been made an honorary citizen of its second-largest city. Crimea Can Claim Independence Like Kosovo
If a declaration of independence similar to Kosovo's is offered to Crimea, for instance, then "it will fit there 100%," Putin's Envoy Says Ties With EU Harmed by Kosovo Recognition
European Union countries recognizing Kosovo as a state will harm relations between Russia and the 27- nation bloc, President Vladimir Putin's envoy said. Russian Human Rights Activists Say Independent Kosovo To Have Irreversible Consequences
The recognition of an independent Kosovo will set a dangerous precedent and have irreversible consequences, Memorial human rights organization head Arseniy Roginsky said. Transdnestr seeks international recognition after Kosovo
Moldova's breakaway republic of Transdnestr is seeking international recognition for its self-determination following Kosovo's declaration of independence on Sunday. Kosovo Independence Funded by Drug Dealers, Rogozin Says
Recognition of Kosovo’s independence might have been funded by local drug mafia, supposed Russia’s envoy to U.N. Dmitry Rogozin. Ukraine
Gas Deal, WTO, NATO, and Movies NATO Russia, Ukraine agree on gas, discuss NATO
Moscow and Kiev reached an agreement on gas supplies and also discussed Ukraine's plans to join NATO during talks in the Russian capital between the two countries' presidents on Tuesday. U.S. pushing to bring Ukraine and Georgia into NATO
Despite fierce objections from Russia, the United States is pushing NATO to start membership negotiations with Ukraine and Georgia at an alliance summit meeting in Bucharest in April, diplomats said Wednesday. Ukraine says will not allow NATO bases
"If the Russian side is worried about military bases then Ukraine will never go for that ... We are ready to underpin that constitutionally." Gas Outcome of gas talks victory for Ukraine
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on Wednesday described as a "great victory" a deal with Russia on gas supplies which avoided a threatened cut in shipments and eliminated intermediaries in trade. Ukraine's Naftogaz starts paying Gazprom debt
Ukraine's state energy company Naftogaz has paid off more than 1 million U.S. dollars out of its 1.07 billion dollars of its gas import debts. The Presidents Negotiate
Putin and Yushchenko pass off reality as an agreement. They didn't agree on everything. Other WTO - will Ukraine make life difficult for Russia?
At the WTO's General Council on February 5, Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko signed a protocol on joining the World Trade Organization. This was the culmination of a process of preparation and negotiation that Ukraine embarked upon as long ago as 1993. Yushchenko and Timoshenko Back at It
The short-lived friendship between Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko is over. Crimean Independence Activists Charged
The Ukrainian Security Service has initiated a criminal case against members of the Sevastopol-Crimea-Russia People's Front for calling for the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity in public statements. Ukraine, EU Set to Creating Free Trading Area
Ukraine and the European Union have set to negotiations aimed at creating a free trading area. Ukraine defends new cinema rules
The Ukrainian minister of culture Tuesday issued a vigorous defence of controversial new rules obliging all foreign language films to be dubbed or subtitled into Ukrainian or be blocked from the country’s cinemas. Russia terminates early-warning radar agreement with Ukraine
… citing Ukraine's failure to provide adequate technical support to radar facilities located on its territory. Children in Russia are frightened by me – Tymoshenko
"Dishonest businessmen and politicians have accused me for many years of all mortal sins." Georgia
Activist dies, President in for new term How to Improve Georgia-Russia Ties?
That might happen in a second Saakashvili administration and especially after a new Russian president takes office following elections in early March. Patarkatsishvili is gone, but questions to him remain
Badri Patarkatsishvili was no ordinary politician. He played a key role in Georgia's life, apart from his role in the country's economy. Georgia: Heading for NATO. Abkhazia: A Union with Russia?
Russian diplomats should immediately clarify their stance over the issue of recognition of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, No Foul Play Seen in Georgian’s Death
Georgian opposition leader Badri Patarkatsishvili, who died in Britain this week, had severe heart disease that made him liable to sudden death, a pathologist told a coroner's inquest on Friday. Georgian Leader Addicted to Power, Ex-Minister Says
Irakli Okruashvili, an ally turned critic of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, said the head of state is addicted to power and will do ``everything'' to assure victory in a parliamentary election in May. Georgian Opposition Issues Ultimatum
The memorandum is the opposition's latest demand for a recount of the ballots from the January 5 presidential election. It also asks for creates on a new central elections commission on a parity basis and changes to the Georgian Constitution. Georgia's New Government
The parliament unanimously approved the list of government members suggested by the president. Saakashvili Becomes Well-Mannered
Mikhail Saakashvili has changed greatly. The Georgian president has become much thinner. Before, Saakashvili generously gave all sorts of tough epithets to Russia. Now, he suddenly became lily-prudent. Russian Peacekeepers Stay in Abkhazia
The UN Security Council on Wednesday discussed the situation in Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia. The Security Council did not even consider replacing Russian peacekeepers. CIS and Regional Issues
US Aid Down, Medvedev Pays Visit Putinism's Impact On The Neighbors
The same Kremlin leadership that gives no quarter to domestic opposition likewise has little taste for democratic politics on its doorstep, and therefore will continue to devote substantial energy to prevent their advance. US Aid Budget to Eurasia: A Monument to "Inter-Agency Pettiness"
Overall, the budget for the Freedom Support Act, which provides aid to former Soviet states, is $346 million for fiscal year 2009, which actually starts on October 1, 2008. That is down from $396 million in fiscal 2008, and $452 million the year before that. CIS Now an Optional Alliance for Its Members, New Russian Study Says
The Commonwealth of Independent States has the same number of members it had at its start, something its backers always note, but each of them now decides which of its activities to participate in and to what degree, according to a detailed new study prepared by a historian in the Russian Academy of Sciences. Freedom in the Former Soviet Union Deteriorated in 2007
Freedom in the former Soviet Union declined in 2007, Freedom House reported in a worldwide survey of freedom released recently. Putin presents his chosen successor to leaders of ex-Soviet nations
"We are sure that the Russian people will support you and wish you victory," Uzbek President Islam Karimov told Medvedev. Baltic States
Strained Relations with Russia Lithuanian president sees no Cold War with Russia
Lithuanian president Valdas Adamkus said on Thursday he did not expect a return of the Cold War and called on the European Union to start a dialogue and push for closer ties with Moscow. We Traced the Cyberwar -- It's Coming From Inside the Country!' (re Estonia)
A 20-year-old man named Dmitri Galushkevich is the first cyber soldier to face justice for launching one of the attacks in last year's "cyber war" against Estonia Russia’s TV Cut Off in Estonia’s Prisons
The authorities of Tallinn and Tartu, Estonia, have recently cut off the air a few Russia’s TV channels. Central Asia Armenia OSCE says Armenia vote was fair
Pro-presidential parties won a large majority in Armenia's parliamentary election, its electoral commission said on Sunday. Thousands protest over Armenia's election result
The new leader's biggest challenges will be a simmering territorial conflict with neighboring Azerbaijan and frozen ties with Turkey. Russia's PM Visits Armenia Feb 5-6
Russia's Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov goes on a two-day official visit to Armenia February 5 on invitation of his Armenian counterpart Serge Sarkisyan. Azerbaijan Working group to reform higher education in Azerbaijan
A working group has been set up in Azerbaijan to develop a government programme to reform the higher education system, reports the agency Trend News. President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on 31 January that will ensure measures are taken to integrate Azerbaijani higher education schools into those of Europe. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Says Increasing State's Role in Energy is "Main Dimension"
President Nursultan Nazarbayev used his state-of-the-nation address to confirm Kazakhstan’s new-found assertiveness in energy policy. He also indicated that, over the near term, the government will strive to strengthen the country’s relatively weak social safety net. Kyrgyzstan Regional Rivalries Center on Kyrgyzstan
It remains to be seen to what degree Kazakhstan can hold its own with Russia and China as rivals for influence in Kyrgyzstan. Similarly, Kyrgyzstan’s future viability is not easily predictable. Kyrgyz Town Lives with Radioactive Soviet Legacy
Residents of the town of Mailuu-Suu in Kyrgyzstan are accustomed to living next to radioactive waste. Tajikistan Tajik Men Leave Families Behind to Migrate for Work
Every year, 1 million Tajiks are living outside of the country, mostly working as laborers in Russia. Turkmenistan Turkmenistan: Turning the Tables on Russia
It is apparent that Turkmenistan under Berdymukhamedov is eagerly exploiting its opportunities to explore export deals. Lone cockroach puts 30 Turkmen out of work
Turkmen president sacks staff after insect's walk-on part in TV news bulletin. Uzbekistan Uzbekistan's leader visits Russia but looks West
"This is all part of Karimov's game: emphasise good ties with Russia while hinting there is potential to develop relations with Western nations." Uzbek's election advice to Putin arrives too late
Uzbekistan's leader Islam Karimov, who exploited a legal loophole to stay in office for a third term, said on Wednesday that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin could have used a similar tactic. Russia Wary About Uzbek Geopolitical Intentions
Analysts in Moscow believe the Russian government’s continued efforts to develop economic ties with Uzbekistan are aimed at forestalling Tashkent’s possible geopolitical drift back toward the United States.
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