Russia's new role in Central Asia

Asian Survey

Volumn 45, Issue 4, 2005, Pages 546-565

  Buszynski, Leszek ^a  

^a INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF JAPAN   (Japan)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

DISPLACEMENT; ISLAMISM; POLITICAL CHANGE;

EASTERN HEMISPHERE; EURASIA; RUSSIAN FEDERATION; WORLD;

EID: 27644583500     PISSN: 00044687     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1525/as.2005.45.4.546     Document Type: Article

References (83)

1. Douglas Gillert, "U.S. Ventures Cautiously into Former Soviet Territory," American Forces Information Service News Articles, October 1997, .
2. For Donald Rumsfeld's agreements with Central Asian leaders, see U.S. Department of Defense, DofD News Transcript, , October 5, 2001, and April 27, 28, 2002.
3. Armen Khanbabyan, "Pri Yavnom Ravnodushii Moskvy" [With Moscow's obvious indifference], Nezavisimaya Gazeta [Independent Newspaper], February 6, 2002.
4. See Ahmed Rashid, "A Long Hot Summer Ahead," Far Eastern Economic Review, April 19, 2001;
5. also Ahmed Rashid "A Path Paved with Pitfalls," ibid., October 4, 2001;
6. Poonam Mann, "Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan: Will It Strike Back? Strategic Analysis: A Monthly Journal of the IDSA, 26:2 (April-June 2002).
7. For Russian liberals and their views of the American presence, see Natal'ya Airapetova, "Kak Rossiya 'Vyshla' iz SNG" [How Russia left the CIS], Nezavisimaya Gazeta, December 26, 2001;
8. "Rossiya Ispol'zuet SShA v Kachestve Bufera v Tsentral'noe Azii" [Russia uses the U.S. as a buffer in Central Asia], ibid., April 30, 2003.
9. Marina Volkova, "Vtoroi Front Prezidenta" [President's second front], ibid., September 26, 2001.
10. Vladimir Georgiev, "Generaly Uchilis' Ponimat' Presidenta" [The generals learned to understand the president], ibid., October 18, 2001.
11. Igor' Korotchenko, "Vokrug Rossii Szhimaetsya Kol'tso Voennykh Baz" [Military bases encircle Russia], ibid., June 4, 2003.
12. For views of the American presence within the Russian security establishment, see Viktoria Panfilova, "Direktor FPS-Ne Storonnik Zapadnykh Baz v Tsentral'noi Azii" [FPS director is no supporter of western bases in Central Asia], ibid., January 18, 2002.
13. Aleksei Matveev, "Tsentral'naya Azia: Oazis Nestabil'nosti. Dannye Spetsluzhb" [Central Asia: An oasis of instability. Data from the Special Services], GazetaSNG [CIS Newspaper], May 7, 2003, .
14. See also "Osnovnaya Ugroza-iz Tsenral'noi Azii" [The fundamental threat from Central Asia], Itar-Tass, July 3, 2003.
15. Aleksei Kozhevnikov was spokesman for Russia's 201st Motorized Rifle Division stationed in Tajikistan. See Aleksei Matveev, "Moskva Ukreplyaet Afganskii Rubezh. Novye Voennye Manevry v Tadzhikistane" [Moscow strengthens the Afghanistan border. New military maneuvers], GazetaSNG, July 2, 2003, .
16. See Ahmed Rashid, "The Taliban: Exporting Extremism," Foreign Affairs 98:6 (November/December 1999). Russian reports claim that the Taliban also trained Chechen insurgents in Afghan camps; Arabs, Tatars, and other mercenaries who are trained there are then sent to the Fergana valley to stoke the insurgency.
17. See Igor Potar, "Tsentral'naya Aziya-Sleduyushchaya Mishen' Ekstremistrov" [Central Asia-extremists' next mission], Nezavisimaya Gazeta, September 14, 2001.
18. Matveev, "Moskva Ukreplyaet Afganskii Rubezh."
19. Andrei Skrobot, "Kogo Gotova Osvobozhdat' 'Partiya Islamskogo Osvobozhdeniya" [The 'Islamic Party of Liberation' is ready to liberate whom?], Nezavisimaya Gazeta, January 25, 2005.
20. "Rossiya Ispol'zuet SShA v Kachestve Bufera v Tsentral'noe Azii."
21. For Andrei Kokoshin's view, see Viktoria Panfilova, "ODKB Ne Dolzhna Star' Remeikom NATO" [ODKB should not be a mirror image of NATO], Nezavisimaya Gazeta, May 20, 2003;
22. for Nazarbaev's view, see Vasilina Vasil'eva, "Prezident Nursultan Nazarbaev Schitaet Sebya 'Kompetentnym Optimistom'" [President Nursultan Nazarbaev considers himself a "competent optimist"], ibid., February 20, 2003.
23. On Kazakhstan's trade with Russia, see Boris Antsiferov, "Kazakhstansko-Rossiiskie Otnosheniya: Ugly i Ellipsy" [Kazakhstan-Russian relations: Some details and nuances], Gazeta. kz, January 15, 2004, ;
24. "Tovarooborot Mezhdu Rossei I Kazakhstanom-5 mlrd dollarov" [Trade turnover between Russia and Kazakhstan-$5 billion], Itar-Tass, January 7, 2004.
25. Ekaterina Grigor'eva, "Razdvoenie Presidentov" [Divided presidents], Izvestiya [News], April 26, 2003.
26. Panfilova, "ODKB Ne Dolzhna Stat' Remeikom NATO."
27. Il'ya Maksakov, "Mladenets Rodilsya s Zubami" [A child born with teeth], Izvestiya, May 24, 2003.
28. Oleg Elenskii, "ODKB Demonstriruet Bespomoshchnost" [ODKB reveals an inability to help], Nezavisimaya Gazeta, December 9, 2003.
29. Vladimir Mukhin, "ShOS I ODKB Ob'edinyatyutsya?" [SCO and ODKB will unite?], ibid., June 26, 2003.
30. For Russian views of the SCO, see Sergei Luzyanin, "Na Puti k Aziatskomn NATO" [On the path of an Asian NATO], ibid., May 26, 2003;
31. for the Uzbek view, see Sevara Sharapova, "Mnogostronnyaya Diplomatiya vo Vneshei Polittke Respubliki Uzbekistan" [Multilateral diplomacy in the foreign policy of the republic of Uzbekistan], Etnicheskii Mir [Ethnic World] (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan), no. 25 (2002), .
32. See Natal'ya Serova, "Rossiya Vozvrashaet Srednyuyu Aziyu" [Russia returns to Central Asia], Politkom.ru, October 27, 2003, ;
33. Tat'yana Stanovaya, "Vladimir Putin v Kirgizii" [Vladimir Putin in Kyrgyzstan], ibid., October 28, 2003, ;
34. see also "Grachi Prileteli" [The rooks flew in], Rossiiskaya Gazeta [Russian Newspaper], October 24, 2003.
35. Kalymbet Beisemkulov, "Kogo Spaset 'Grachinoe Gnezdo"' [Who will save the 'rook's nest'?], Navigator (Almaty, Kazakhstan), December 25, 2002;
36. Aleksander Kim, "Kto Zashchitit Bezopasnost' Kyrgyzstana-SShA ili Rossiya?" [Who will defend Kyrgyzstan's security, the U.S. or Russia?], Moya Stolitsa [My Capital] (Bishkek), April 18, 2003.
37. "Rossiya Sozdaet Voenno-Vozdushuyu Bazu v Kyrgyzstane, Nanosya Udar po Strategicheskim Interesam SShA v Srednei Azii" [Russia establishes a military-air base in Kyrgysztan, striking a blow against U.S. strategic interests in Central Asia], Institute of Strategic and Regional Studies, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, December 5, 2002.
38. On how the Kyrgyz press viewed the Russian base, see T. Akimov, "Razmeshchenie Rossiiskii Voennykh Baz v Kyrgyzstane Vygodno Obeim Stranam" [The establishment of a Russian military base in Kyrgyzstan is convenient for both sides], Kabar (Kyrgyz National News Agency) (Bishkek), December 5, 2002;
39. Kim, "Kto Zashchitit Bezopasnost' Kyrgyzstna-Ssha ili Rossiya?";
40. see also Beisemkulov, "Kogo Spaset 'Grachinoe Gnezdo."'
41. Sultan Zhumagulov, "Rossiya I Kyrgyzstan Sblizhayut Pozitsii" [Russian and Kyrgyz positions come closer], Navigator, December 25, 2002.
42. "Zapovedi Vneshnei Politiki Kyrgyzii" [The precepts of Kyrgyz foreign policy], Slovo Kyrgyzstana [Kyrgyzstan Word] (Bishkek), August 6, 2004, .
43. Ibid.
44. On Akaev's view, see Viktoriya Panfilova, "Ukpreplennie Svyazei s SShA, No Ne za Schet Rossii" [Strengthening ties with the U.S., but not at the expense of Russia], Nezavisimaya Gazeta, February 16, 2002. NATO's acquisition of additional land around Manas in April 2003 supposedly showed that the Americans will be there for the long haul.
45. See Erlan Satybekov, "Amerikanskie Voennye Prochno Oseli v Kyrgyzstane. Vo Blago ili ... " [American military well settled in. For good or ...], Vechernii Bishkek [Evening Bishkek], May 23, 2003.
46. "NATO Sec-Gen Arrives in Kyrgyzstan for Talks on Interaction," Kyrgyzstan Development Gateway, October 21, 2004,
47. What does Russia have at Kant? Five SU-27s, five SU-25s, four II-39, six military transport aircraft II-76, one transport aircraft II- 18, and one An-24, two military transport helicopters Mi-8, and 400 military and civilian technicians, which will increase to 1,500. See Rossiiskaya Gazeta, October 24, 2003.
48. Beicemkylov, "Kogo Spacet 'Grachinoe Gnezdo'."
49. For Kyrgyz views of the Russian base, see Aleksander Shumilin, "Rossiya i TsentrAzia: Vzaimnoe Prityazheniue?" [Russia and Central Asia: Mutual attraction?], Mideast.ru, October 25, 2003, ;
50. Viktoria Panfilova, "Rossiya Zanova Osvaivaet Tsentral'nuyu Aziyu" [Russia deals with Central Asia anew], Nezavisimaya Gazeta, September 23, 2003;
51. Danil Kyshtobaev, "Polet Nad Gnezdom" [Flight above the nest], Slovo Kyrgyzstana, October 24, 2003.
52. Roman Streshnev and Aleksandr Tikhonov, "Kollektivnye Sily Vykhodit na Novye Rubezhi" [Collective forces move out to a new frontier], Krasnaya Zvezda [Red Star] (Moscow), August 7, 2004, ;
53. "Orden-Zhene, Oruzhe-Muzhu" [Decoration-women, weapons-men], Res Publica [Public Affairs] (Bishkek), October 28, 2003.
54. "Kyrgyzstan May Offer New Base for Regional Security," News from Russia, May 26, 2005.
55. Also see Vice Premier Felix Kulov's views on the need to maintain a close relationship with Russia, "Rossiya-nash luchshii drug, a druzei nel'zya menyat"' [Russia is our best friend, and there is no need to change friends], Kommersant [Businessman], May 27, 2005.
56. Viktoriya Panfilova, "Tadzhikistan: Desyat' Let Spustya" [Tajikistan: Ten years on], Nezavisimaya Gazeta, December 5, 2001;
57. Viktoriya Panfilova, "Nam Nuzhen Stabili'nyi Afganistan" [We need a stable Afghanistan], ibid., October 19, 2001.
58. On Russian negotiations over the Tajik base, see ibid., December 26, 2001;
59. Igor' Plugatarev, "Dushanbe Dobivaetsya Kontrolya nad Narkotrafikom" [Dushanbe manages to control narco-trafficking], Nezavisimoe Voennoe Obrozrenie [Independent Military Observer] (Moscow), June 4, 2004, ;
60. Vasilii Bubnov, "Dorogu Geroiny? Idillicheskie Otnosheniya Rossia s Tadzhikistanom Zakonchilis"' [Road to heroism? Idyllic relations between Russia and Tajikistan have ended], Pravda [Truth], September 26, 2003. Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Khairulloev stressed that Dushanbe demanded prepayment for communications services and wanted control over the bases, and Russia was to finace the infrastrutural costs of the bases. Aleksei Matveev, "Moskva i Dushanbe Poka Ne Dogovorilis" [Moscow and Dushanbe have not agreed yet], GazetaSNG 11 (August 2003), .
61. Igor' Plugatarev, "Moskve Predlozhili Pokinut' Tadzhikistan iz-za Milliarda dollarov" [Moscow was advised to abandon Tajikistan because of a billion dollars], Nezavisimaya Gazeta, July 16, 2003.
62. Russia's demand for the base was regarded as a response to the U.S. presence in Kyrgyzstan and American use of the Khanabad Airbase in Uzbekistan. Vladimir Mukhin, "Rossiya Sozdaet Krupnuyu Bazu v Tsentralnoi Azii" [Russia establishes a powerful base in Central Asia], ibid., May 21, 2003.
63. Aleksander Kim, "Rossiiskoi Voennym Pora po Bazam" [For the Russian military it's time for bases], Moya Stolitsa, April 29, 2003.
64. For the issue of Tajikistan's debt, see Andrei Kolesnikov, "Presidenty Rossii I Tadjikistana Naladili Dryg Dryga Zhizn" [Presidents of Russia and Tajikistan sorted out their relationship], Kommersant, June 5, 2004;
65. for Russia's involvement in hydroelectric projects, see Viktoria Panfilova, "Rakhmonovu Pomogut Den'gami" [Rakhmonov was helped by money], Nezavisimaya Gazeta, August 10, 2004.
66. See "Zayavleniya dlya Pressy posle Podpisaniya Rossiisko-Tadzhikistanskikb Dokumentov" [Press statement after signing of Russian-Tajik documents], Prezident Rossii, Ofitsialnyi Sait [President of Russia Official Website], October 16, 2004, .
67. Igor' Plugatarev, "Dushanbe Dobivaetsya Kontrolya nad Narkotrafikom."
68. Vasilina Vasil'eva, "Prezident Nursultan Nazarbaev Schitaet Sebya 'Kompetentnym Optimistom'."
69. Vasilii Zlobin, "NATO Pomozhet Kazakhstanu Sozdat' Kaspiiiskii flot" [NATO helps Kazakhstan create a Caspian fleet], Nezavisimoe Voennoe Obrozrenie, October 31, 2003, .
70. Nikolai Poroskov, "U Rossii i Kazakhstana Skladyvayutsya Osobye Otnoshenie" [Russia and Kazakhstan establish special relations], Vremiya Novostei [Time of the News], June 9, 2003, .
71. V. F. Urlyapov, "Uzbekistan: Stanovlenie Vneshnopoliticheskogo Kursa Respubliki" [Uzbekistan: The foreign policy situation of the republic], in A. M. Khazanov, Rossiya, Blizhnee i Dal'nee Zarubezh'e Azii [Russia, near and further Asian frontiers] (Moscow: Institute of Oriental Studies, 1997).
72. Meder Imakeev and Ol'ga Borisova, "Uzbekistan nedovolen poyavlennem rossiiskoi aviabzy v Kyrgyzstane" [Uzbestan is unhappy with the appearance of a Russian airbase in Kyrgyzstan], Navigator, December 19, 2002.
73. Tat'yana Stanovaya, "Vladimir Putin v Kirgizii" [Vladimir Putin in Kyrgyzstan], Politkom.ru, October 28, 2003, .
74. Aleksander Orlov, "Tashkent Veren Vashingtonu, no Posmatrivaet v Stronu Moskvy" [Tashkent believes in Washington, but looks at Russia], GazetaSNG.ru (CIS Newspaper], August 15, 2003, .
75. "Putin Zayavlyaet o Podderzhke Rossiei Antiterroristicheskoi Bor'by Uzbekistana" [Putin declares Russian support for Uzbekistan's antiterrorist war], Interfax, April 15, 2004, ;
76. Viktor Smetanim "Uzbekistan: Vynuzhdennyi Povorot k Moskve?" [Uzbekistan: Necessary turn to Moscow?], Rus'Edinaya [United Rus], April 27, 2004, .
77. On the results of the June 2004 Putin-Karimov meeting, see Tat'yana Stanovaya, "Iz ShOS v ODKB Pereletaya" [Flying from SCO to ODKB], Politkom.ru, June 12, 2004, ;
78. Aleksandr Prokhorov, "Rossiya Imeet Shans Vernut' TsentrAziyu" [Russia has a chance to return to Central Asia], TsentrAziya [Central Asia], August 12, 2004.
79. "Turkmeniya Obvinyaet Possiyu v Pokrovitel'stve Terrorizmu?" [Turkmeniya accuses Russia of harboring terrorism?], Pravda, November 26, 2002.
80. "Ai, Kakoi Ya Molodets!" [Hey, aren't I great!], ibid., May 8, 2003.
81. Aleksander Bratevskii, "Deputaty Gosdumy Predlagayut' Primenit' Sankstii protiv Turkmenii" [Duma deputies propose sanctions on Turmeniya], Izvestiya, June 19, 2003.
82. Viktoriya Panfilova, "Turkmenbashi Prizval SShA" [Turkmenbashi appealed to the U.S.], Nezavisimaya Gazeta, February 3, 2003.
83. For Igrunov's view, see "Rossiya Ispol'zuet SshA v Kachestve Bufera v Tsentral'noe Azii." For a less sanguine view of the U.S. presence, see Roman Steshnev, "SshA, Evropa i Rossiya: Strategiya v TsentrAzii" [The U.S., Europe, and Russia: Strategy in Central Asia], Krasnaya Zvezda, August 17, 2004.