BBC Monitoring Quotes From Russian Press Thursday 8 February 2007

The following is a selection of quotes from articles published in the 8 February editions of Russian newspapers, as available to the BBC at 2300 gmt on 7 February 2007:

Defence Minister’s charm offensive at the Duma

Rossiyskaya Gazeta (state-owned daily) – “A kind of military council was held at the State Duma yesterday. As part of the ‘government hour’, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Sergey Ivanov reported to MPs on how the re-armament of the Russian army was proceeding and listed problems which he hoped to solve with the Duma’s help… The deputies did not hear any super-secrets from the deputy prime minister but his 25-minute-long report and answers to questions provided a lot of food for thought.” (from article by Yuriy Gavrilov, headlined “An unclassified army”)

Nezavisimaya Gazeta (centrist daily) – “Deputies liked the event possibly because it was different to a visit two weeks ago by First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitriy Medvedev, who did not allow himself to let slip a single unguarded word. As for Sergey Ivanov, by demonstrating that he is more at ease with an audience, he rose above the concerns of his current post…

“At the end of his report the deputy prime minister reminded the deputies, just in case, the state in which he took over the country’s armed forces compared to their condition now. The report was undoubtedly meant to emphasize that it is Sergey Ivanov who is worthy of the name of the country’s main minister-administrator.” (from article by Ivan Rodin, headlined “Sergey Ivanov reported to Okhotnyy Ryad”)

Moskovskiy Komsomolets (popular Moscow daily) – “It has been noted that if one ‘successor’ appears in the Duma, the other will not fail to turn up there soon. Not so long ago Dmitriy Medvedev told the deputies about progress in the implementation of national projects, while yesterday Sergey Ivanov reported progress in modernizing the army… [newspaper's ellipsis] The ‘defence’ deputy prime minister displayed confidence: a victorious smile, a nonchalant wave of the hand and a patronizing tone… [newspaper's ellipsis] Nobody would have been surprised if he had introduced himself a la James Bond: ‘Ivanov… Sergey Ivanov’.” (from article by Marina Ozerova, headlined “Ivanov was offered presidency during his Duma visit”)

Gazeta (general daily) – “Large-scale re-armament is in store for the Russian armed forces in the next seven years. The military will prepare to deliver preventive strikes against a potential but still unknown aggressor, against which they will even need aircraft carriers… This means that the Kremlin is prepared not only to reinstate the Soviet doctrine of military parity with the West but even to exceed it – the USSR never gave much prominence to the fleet and aircraft carriers…

“Before re-arming the army and the fleet, one should understand clearly the purpose of the exercise: to become a regional state or a world state? What interests should [Russia] pursue and where? A military doctrine and national security doctrine are therefore necessary. Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov holds, however, opposite views. He told the State Duma something completely different: a new military doctrine, which will be adopted after a national security doctrine, will dot all the i’s but the troops must be ready for preventive strikes. With the help of aircraft carriers, probably.” (from article by Gennadiy Savchenko, Vladimir Stepanov and Yevgeniyy Belyakov, headlined “Aircraft carrier race”)

Lukashenka turns to the West

Kommersant (anti-Kremlin business daily) – “The Belarusian president has begun looking for new allies… Traditionally closed to Western mass media, Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has given two interviews to western press in the past two weeks…

“Alyaksandr Luakshenka began making a show of his flirtation with the West back in January…

“It looks like Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s statement was first of all a psychological attack: aimed at convincing Moscow to make concessions in the energy sphere. The Russian authorities, however, do not intend to retreat. Kommersant learnt yesterday that protective measures are already being drawn up at various Russian departments…

“Russian departments are showing resolution not to pay Belarus almost anything on its demands. This does not mean, however, that Moscow will spare money on continued confrontation with Minsk.” (from article by Mikhail Zygar, Renata Yambayeva and Ivan Safronov, headlined “Alyaksandr Lukashenka has set his sights on Europe”)

Kommersant – “There are no signs of interest in the West in a deal proposed by President Lukashenka. One should not think, however, that this ‘product’ will not find its buyer sooner or later. The modern world is divided into spheres of influence and the fight for them is becoming increasingly fierce. There are virtually no ‘masterless’ territories left outside the control of the main centres of world power.” (from article by Sergey Strokan, headlined “The price of the issue”)

Vremya Novostey (liberal daily) – “An energy conflict with Russia, which flared up at the beginning of the year, changed Minsk’s foreign-policy rhetoric in a flash. Over the past month, President Lukashenka repeatedly promised to improve relations with the West, criticizing Moscow at the same time. He lashes out at Russia in an increasingly caustic way.” (from article by Olga Tomashevskaya and Anna Naumova, headlined “A Slav barter”)

Nezavisimaya Gazeta (centrist daily) – “Lining up to Russia, Minsk has lost the West.” (from article by Anton Khodasevich, headlined “Lukashenka complains, warns and threatens”)

Georgia in new company

Kommersant – “A new international airport was opened yesterday in Tbilisi with pomp and circumstance. The opening ceremony was attended by Georgian and Azeri presidents Mikheil Saakashvili and Ilham Aliyev, as well as by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. After that, the leaders of the three countries signed an agreement on building a Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbisili-Baku railway line. The fast implementation of both projects is due to sharp deterioration in relations between Georgia and Russia…

“Traditional partners, Azerbaijan and Turkey, are bringing the young and ambitious Georgian president into the sphere of their interests. The sharp deterioration in relations between Georgia and Russia has played an important role in making this possible.” (from article by Vladimir Novikov, headlined “A gas transport alliance”)

Novyye Izvestiya (liberal daily) – “It seems that the politicians’ bright dreams may break against harsh reality.” (from article by Irina Baramidze, headlined “Caucasian risks”)

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