12.12.2008
Eurasia: News In Review
Central Asia and Eastern Europe
and their Relations with Russia
November, 2008The following resource is meant to give readers a quick overview of recent events in Eurasia and outside Russia. Much of the news here concerns how Russia and/or the US are affected by these generally small but politically, economically, and/or 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
Economies sagging, need for cooporation Uncertain Support
Millions of people across the postcommunist world rely on the money sent by relatives working abroad. But as Western markets strain under the global financial crisis, migrant workers and the families who depend on them are also feeling the pinch, from Central Europe to Central Asia. Vladimir Putin's deputy rules out attacks on Russia's neighbours
"We are not aggressive," Sergey Ivanov said in an interview. "We have recognised the territorial integrity of all former Soviet republics. That was in 1991. Russia, of course, has no territorial ambitions regarding any former Soviet countries". Iran urges Caucasus nations to set aside rivalries
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki urged the Caucasus nations on Tuesday to replace military competition with a "peaceful cooperation." Is Russia Winning in Central Asia?
In keeping with an increasingly assertive stance in Russian foreign policy, especially since 2004, President Putin declared that the Central Asian part of the "near abroad" is a "key national interest." Kyrygyzstan
IMF sends $100 mln; BBC and RFE suspended IMF approves $100 mln Kyrgyz emergency facility
The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday it had approved a $100 million emergency facility to buffer Kyrgyzstan from a range of external shocks that include volatile commodity prices and an earthquake. Death of Kyrgyz Sugar Industry Leaves Bitter Taste
Instead of exporting sugar, Kyrgyzstan now imports it while disillusioned beet farmers switch to other crops. Watchdog Criticizes Kyrgyzstan Over BBC, RFE Suspensions
Taking the programs off the air last week was a "drawback to the democratic changes that the government of the Kyrgyz Republic seeks to implement," the OSCE's media representative Miklos Haraszti wrote in a letter to Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev. Kyrgyzstan hosts memorial events on Chingiz Aitmatov's 80th anniversary
Aitmatov is revered for building a bridge between the world of traditional Kyrgyz folklore and modern Eurasian literature. The spirit of the season: giving
Those of us deployed to Manas Air Base are rolling into the holiday season. We just passed Thanksgiving, which most of us would normally like to celebrate with family and friends back in the United States. Kyrgyzstan seeks boosting ties with Iran
Ahmadinejad for his part said the two countries can work well to mount the ties as much as possible. Russia, Kyrgyzstan work out economic cooperation program
"There are difficulties and challenges on the way to closer integration, such as customs barriers, taxation difficulties, lack of well-developed transport infrastructure," the deputy head of Kyrgyz Ministry of Economic Development and Trade Aziz Aaliev said. Construction of affordable housing needed in Kyrgyzstan
In view of the high prices in the housing market, many Kyrgyz citizens cannot afford to buy an apartment. That is why it has now become an urgent priority to construct affordable housing. Poor hit hardest by rising food prices, energy crisis
"No electricity, no life", says Asan Kojomkulov, 58, an unemployed resident of Kyzyl-Bairak village near the southern Kyrgyz town of Osh. Controversy Over Kyrgyz Protest Sentences
Sentences of up to 20 years seen as warning to other protesters, rather than justice. Gazprom As Russia's Foreign Envoy
Recent accusations that Moscow uses the state gas giant Gazprom as a foreign-policy tool have resurfaced following an agreement with Kyrgyzstan. While the deal offers Gazprom very little financially, it gives Russia an excellent bargaining chip -- not only in Kyrgyzstan but in Uzbekistan as well. Uzbekistan
Closes borders, leaves EurAsEC The Anti-Community Behavior
Uzbekistan has applied for suspending membership in the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC). Sources with Russia's Foreign Ministry said yesterday Tashkent submitted the required documents a month ago, i.e. in three days after the EU lifted the sanctions imposed on Uzbekistan in the wake of the Andijan bloodshed. Tashkent Doesn't Welcome Crisis Guests
Tadjikistan's authorities announced yesterday that Uzbekistan closed borders in late November without giving any explanation. Analysts speculate that Uzbekistan probably apprehends the surge in migration inflow from Tadjikistan that is suffering from the global crisis. Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Russia participates in negotiating frozen conflict Russia, Turkey, And Armenia's Faith
Armenia urgently needs a new understanding with its neighbors that will preclude once and for all its being cast again in the role of either fool or victim. Russia Steps Up Efforts On Nagorno-Karabakh
Russia has stepped up its efforts to find a solution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, and at the same time increase its leverage in the South Caucasus region. Medvedev brokers Armenia-Azerbaijan dispute
President Dmitri Medvedev sought Sunday to underline Russia's influence in the Caucasus by bringing together the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia for talks on the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia, Azerbaijan Sealed Nagorno-Karabakh Declaration
Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian President Serge Sargsyan have sealed the Nagorno-Karabakh declaration. The parties agreed to settle the conflict by political means and in conformity with the international laws, Interfax news agency reported. Moldova
Another, more-frozen frozen conflict Transdniestria: a family quarrel
A neglected east-central European dispute involving a breakaway statelet, regional rivalry, contested territory, black markets and bearish presidents seems to have all the ingredients of a Caucasus-Balkans bloodbath. But seen close, Moldova-Transdniestria dissolves such preconceptions, finds Thomas de Waal. The Pridnestrov'e Moldavian Republic - notes of a political tourist
When empires and multinational states break up, there are often fragments of territory that "don't fit" into the new system of successor states. These fragments can be flash-points for armed conflict at any time. The break-up of the USSR left several such enclaves. They are usually only remembered when, as in South Ossetia earlier this year, a war breaks out. Romania's Elections Extended to Moldova
Romanians voted November 30 in a parliamentary election , which outcome will hardly affect political situation in the country, the tough battle notwithstanding. Under the constitution, Romania's president may appoint the PM irrespective of election results. Who's Next? Russia's Cat and Mouse Game with Moldova
Russia's crushing use of force against Georgia last August gave rise to frenzied speculation that Moscow would mount similar military threats to other neighboring states and former Soviet republics. Moldova and Transdniestria. Another forgotten conflict
A settlement of the Transdniestrian dispute would nudge both Moldova and Ukraine closer to Europe. It could also win Russia a friendly outpost on the edge of the EU. No Clear Goals for Transdniestria
The history of relations between Moscow and Chisinau and all of Russian policy toward a Transdniestrian settlement has been checkered. In 2001, Communist Vladimir Voronin became president of Moldova thanks in large part to his position in favor of closer ties with Russia. Russian PM at Chisinau CIS Summit
A meeting of the heads of government of the CIS takes place today in Chisinau. It is the second such meeting in the history of the organization. Belarus
Heading east or west? Meeting of the Union State of Russia and Belarus Supreme State Council called off
Another scandal broke out between Moscow and Minsk. This time at the highest level. The parties failed to come to an agreement regarding the development of the common state. Belarus Is the Friendliest for Russians
Nearly a half of respondents (48 percent) in Russia called Belarus a friendly country, signaled the poll of All-Russian Center for Public Opinion Studies aimed at revealing how the residents of ex-Soviet republics treat each other. Minsk sees the West as a savior from friendship with Moscow
Yesterday representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Belarusian Government launched talks in Minsk about giving Belarus a $2 billion reserve loan. Minsk applied to the IMF after attempting in vain to get a loan from Russia and to seek gas prices reduction. Gaddafi Wraps Up Visit to Belarus
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on Monday in Minsk. Lukashenko suggested that Gaddafi support Belarusian businessmen in Libya and promised that Belarus will also support Libyan business.
Belarus Yielded Currency Independence
Belarus Finance Minister Andrei Kharkovets signed the so-called currency capitulation in Moscow yesterday. Belarus gets a new intergovernmental loan of $2 billion for 2008 and 2009 by agreeing to pay for Russia's oil and gas supplies in rubles starting from 2009. Baltics and Eastern Europe
Economy hit hard; Relations with Russia still sour Moscow's Nervous Neighbors
Estonia's president has argued that Russia's recent invasion of Georgia shattered the paradigm that guided the former Soviet states' relations with their large neighbor. Must the Baltic states choose between being Russia's vassal or its enemy? Latvia Takes Over Parex Banka
Latvian government has toughened the bailout program for Parex banka. It will control 85 percent in the bank instead of 51 percent as it initially planned. Founders and former principal holders Valery Kargin and Viktor Krasovitsky will lose not only all stocks but also the chance for their back buyout. Stopping the rot
East European economies crack, with Romania and Bulgaria the worst off Russia to move missiles to Baltic
Short-range Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region would "neutralise" the planned US anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, he said. Fog in the Baltic: A sensational arrest inside Estonia's defence ministry
FROM the published information, it hardly seems like a big deal. On September 21st Herman Simm, a middle-ranking civil servant in Estonia's defence ministry, was arrested, along with his wife, and charged with spying for an unnamed foreign power. Smouldering: The ex-communist economies have been steadied
Flames out, but smoke still rising. That is how eastern Europe looks after huge outside intervention to douse worries in debt and currency markets. Tallinn Urges Noncitizens to Get Passports
A three-week campaign entitled "Different People, One Nation" to encourage persons without citizenship living permanently in Estonia to obtain Estonian citizenship. Poland, Lithuania Opposed EU Cooperation with Russia
Presidents of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus and Poland's President Lech Kaczyński have opposed the revival of partnership and cooperation negotiations of the EU and Russia until the latter withdraws all troops from Georgia. The presidents released the joint declaration November 3, 2008. Gates: Baltics' western ties no threat to Moscow
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday that Russia should not feel threatened when Eastern European countries strengthen their ties to the West. No More U.S. Visas Needed for Baltics
Citizens of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia can travel to the United States without visas as of today. The same is true of citizens of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and South Korea. All they need to do now is to fill out a special form on the Internet two days before arriving and have a biometric passport. Estonian Defense Minister Clarifies Remarks on Georgia
Estonian Defense Minister, Jaak Aaviksoo, told the Estonian newspaper, Postimees, that his remarks about Georgia, cited by the Guardian, were his description of position of some European states and not his personal or Estonia's official position. Turkmenistan
New gas deposits found; Human rights still an issue Gas-rich Turkmenistan holds parliamentary vote
Voters in reclusive Turkmenistan elect a parliament Sunday in balloting heralded by authorities in the natural gas-rich nation as a key step toward democratic standards but dismissed by critics as a sham. Slight opening but no real choice in Turkmen parliamentary elections
Turkmenistan's parliamentary elections on December 14 have been presented by the government as a great leap towards democracy. Turkmenistan celebrates Neutrality Day
In an address televised nationwide, Berdymukhamedov said the perpetual neutral status, granted by the international community in 1995, is a great honor for Turkmenistan, and represents tremendous trust in the country and its people. No Real Improvement In Turkmenistan's Human Rights, Expert Says
The FIDH has urged Turkmenistan to allow trade unions, journalists, and civil organizations to operate freely in the country. Turkmenistan: Rights Activist Freed
A computer engineer, Pal had helped civic activists use information technology to send information about Turkmenistan to the outside world and also participated in several human rights projects. Turkmenistan Joins the Natural Gas Elite
In October, Gaffney, Cline and Associates (GCA), a major petroleum engineering consulting firm, estimated that Turkmenistan's South Yolotan-Osman gas field is one of the world's largest. EU to Help Turkmenistan Join Nabucco
The EU is heavily reliant on gas and oil imports from Russia and is keen to diversify its energy sources. The 3,300-kilometer-long Nabucco pipeline, with a $10.3 billion construction price tag, is expected to pump 31 billion cubic meters of gas directly to Europe by 2020. The coffee-table view of Turkmenbashi's dictatorship
Between 2004 and 2006, Swiss press photographer Nicolas Righetti managed to visit the country three times; his book Love Me Turkmenistan presents a glimpse of the personality cult at its peak. Ukraine
Sparring on gas and famine Some see political motive as state orders Russian TV channels off airwaves
Ukrainian regulators have taken steps to cut off the most influential Russian television channels from cable broadcasting networks South-East Ukraine Refused to Disconnect Russia's TV Channels
Certain cable operators of southeastern Ukraine have refused to follow the ruling of the National Council for TV Broadcasting, which committed them to cease broadcast of some TV channels of Russia, Segodnya edition reported. Russia Criticizes Ukraine's Ban On Ossetia War Documentary
The documentary exposes, among other things, the role that the Ukrainian authorities played in the notorious events in the Caucasus.
Holodomor Famine Prevailed Over Revolution
Ukraine finalized past Saturday the events staged to memorialize the mass famine of 1932-1933, the so-cold Holodomor. Nearly all presidents invited by Viktor Yushchenko refused to attend the mourning ceremony. Kiev uses Stalin-era famine to divide Russia, Ukraine – Medvedev
Russia's president has accused Kiev of using the Stalin-era famine to drive a wedge between Ukraine and Russia and urged efforts to forge a common position on the tragedy. Ukraine president says Russia not to blame for Stalin-era famine
Ukraine insists the Stalin-era famine known as the Holodomor was an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people, but does not blame any individual state for it, the country's president said on Wednesday. Moscow and Kiev wrangling over the interpretation of the Holodomor
Today Ukraine begins commemorating the victims of the 1932-1933 starvation. The campaign will last the entire week, with President Victor Yushchenko likely to take part in it. Military Somali Pirates to Release Ukrainian MV Faina
The pirates of Somali and owners of Ukrainian merchant vessel Faina have reached a deal to release Faina. The parties met November 28, 2008 to choose a method to deliver money for Faina's release. Ukraine says Russian Navy must get ready to leave Crimea
Russia should start preparing to withdraw its Black Sea Fleet from bases in the Crimea now, because the process could take up to six years, a Ukrainian diplomat said on Friday. There Will Be No War
It looks like there will be no war between Russia and Ukraine. It is clear that this fact will upset many in Moscow and Kyiv, but, unfortunately, there is a need to face realities. Ukraine Wants Agreement on Black Sea Fleet
Ukraine and Russia will hold a meeting of specialists in Moscow in December to discuss a draft agreement on the actions of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in crisis situations, reports Ukrainian ambassador Viktor Semenov. Economy... and yet another gas war Ukraine Ready to Winter With No Gas of Russia
Russia may slash gas supplies to Ukraine if Kiev refuses to sign a long-term contract. But Ukraine has the four-month stockpile of gas in its underground storage. Ukraine PM sends delegation to Moscow for gas talks.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko dispatched a delegation to Moscow on Monday to discuss outstanding payment arrears for gas and future supplies, a government statement said. Crisis Not to Hinder Preparation for UEFA EURO 2012
The financial crisis won't hinder productive preparation of facilities for EURO 2012, Ukrainian Deputy Economic Minister Yuri Vitrenko vowed in Kiev. Ukraine Has Plan to Save Banks
The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers has approved a procedure to recapitalize Ukrainian banks, UNIAN news agency reports, citing the country's finance minister, Viktor Pinzenik. Banks will be bought out by the government through a system of domestic government loans. Ukraine Gets No Charge Out of Russia
Ukraine may stop importing electricity from Russia on December 1, Fent Di, press secretary to Ukrainian Minister of Fuel and Energy Yury Prodan, reported. Di said that the volume of electricity being imported from Russia has already been reduced from 500 MW to 200 MW and complete cessation of import is being discussed. Industrial Output Plummets in Ukraine
Goskomstat of Ukraine, the state statistics service, published data yesterday indicating a sharp fall in industrial production in the country in October. It is 19.8 percent lower than October 2007 and the Ukrainian Ministry of Economics is predicting negative industrial growth for the year. Medvedev orders Gazprom to collect Ukraine debt
The Russian president has ordered energy giant Gazprom to recover Ukraine's $US 2.4 billion debt for natural gas supplied by the company. Ukraine's president gives govt. 5 days to pay gas bill to Russia
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko ordered the government on Friday to pay the country's debt to Russia for natural gas supplies within five days, Kiev's UNIAN news agency reported. Medvedev Ordered to Collect $2.4bn from Ukraine
Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered to Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller to collect gas debt from Ukraine, Interfax reported. Ukraine-Georgia Relations Claims of Secret Arms Sales Rattle Ukraine's Leaders
With the Ukrainian government reeling from a financial crisis and internal power struggles, the country's pro-Russian opposition has been leveling potentially damaging accusations of improper arms sales to Georgia during that country's brief war with Russia. Ukraine Hasn't Breached International Laws When Supplying Weapons to Georgia
Ukraine has breached no international laws when supplying the weapons to Georgia, said representatives of Ukrainian president's secretariat. Commission says over 15 Ukrainians involved in Georgian war
A Ukrainian parliamentary commission investigating illegal weapon supplies to Georgia has established that over 15 Ukrainians were involved in Tbilisi's attack on South Ossetia, the group's head said on Tuesday. Were Ukrainian Arms Supplies to Georgia Illegal?
A Ukrainian parliamentary commission investigating arms supplies to Georgia has claimed that they were illegal. The commission chairman, Valery Konovalyuk from the pro-Russian Party of Regions (PRU), insists that President Viktor Yushchenko was aware that Ukraine supplied arms to Georgia illegally. Internal Politics Victor Yushchenko Stakes on Ideological Policy
On the face of it, Victor Yushchenko's decision to head the "Our Ukraine" party appears irrational. Yushchenko Official Party Leader
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko was officially named chairman of the Our Ukraine Party (moving up from honorary chairman) at a party congress in Kiev on Saturday attended by 1043 delegates. The congress was the first one held by that party to be closed to the public and press. Polls only way out of Ukraine political crisis - Yushchenko aide
Elections are the only solution to Ukraine's political crisis, a senior aide to Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko said on Monday. Tymoshenko Will Forgive Yushchenko
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is continuing her efforts to establish a new coalition in parliament. The Ukrainian president could be impeached
As the battle for power heats up in Ukraine, the subject of Russia is coming to the forefront. The Supreme Rada commission investigating arms supplies to Georgia completed its visit to South Ossetia and Russia yesterday. NATO Don't rush Georgia and Ukraine into NATO
According to press reports, the Bush administration is pursuing a final bold foreign policy move in its last weeks. Bypassing normal procedures, it wants European allies and Canada to agree to offer Georgia and Ukraine rapid membership into NATO. Rogozin Sees Georgian, Ukrainian "Defeat"
Russian permanent representative to NATO Dmitry Rogozin told radio station Echo of Moscow that the decision of the NATO council of foreign ministers not to give Ukraine and Georgia membership action plans was a defeat for them. Rogozin Sees Threat to Ukraine
Ukraine will be threatened with collapse if it joins NATO, Russian permanent representative to the military alliance Dmitry Rogozin stated in a television interview with the BBC in Great Britain. The VimpelCom brand almost becomes part of the alliance's history
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported yesterday that the cellular operator Ukrainian Radiosystems refused to provide technical support for an SMS quiz contest on NATO that began last week. Ukraine Late for NATO
Washington buried yesterday the hopes of Ukrainian authorities for receiving the Membership Action Plan (MAP) at December summit of NATO's foreign ministers. The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor called the issue politically loaded and not particularly expedient. On NATO's Table, Ukraine and a Test of Russian Ties
When the presidents and prime ministers of every NATO nation met in Bucharest, Romania, in April, they agreed unanimously that Ukraine and Georgia, two former Soviet republics, would someday, without a doubt, enter the Western alliance. Find Out More!
Who's Who in Kygyz Politics
Kyrgyzstan's Latest Revolution
SRAS Travel Services
More Study Abroad Programs
Internships in Russia
Heath and Safety in Russia
The SRAS Newsletter
Journal for Students
More Free Resources! Questions or comments?
Contact the editor.
« back to News archive
|
