AI
Wednesday, September 15, 2004 6:21:12 PM
Ayatollahs play in Russia's backyard
Russia and Iran maintain a cooperative/competitive arrangement. The countries discussed in the following text are also being courted by the United States and China. One reason the United States is trying to gain influence in the region is to install missile defense bases in order to contain Iran.
#msg-3534540
#msg-3972175
Note on Armenia:
Watch for Bush to keep troops in Iraq and a concentrated effort to bring Armenia under U.S. dominance thus securing Iran’s northern border.
#msg-3912582
In 1997, Armenia and Russia signed a friendship treaty, under which they provided for mutual assistance in the event of a military threat to either party. The pact also allows Russian border guards to patrol Armenia’s frontiers with Turkey and Iran.
#msg-3912582
Currently, there are 2,500 Russian military personnel stationed in the country. Recent military materiel shipped to Armenia includes MiG-29 jetfighters and S300 PMU1 air defense batteries, an advanced version of the SA-10C Grumble air defense missile. Russia’s Federal Border Guard Service is also deployed to guard Armenia’s borders with Turkey and Iran.
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav091404.shtml
-Am
Ayatollahs play in Russia's backyard
By Sergei Blagov
September 16, 2004
MOSCOW - Amid growing Western pressure over Iran's nuclear ambitions, Tehran is losing no time in boosting its clout north of its frontiers. Furthermore, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami toured three former Soviet states when their former "big brother", Russia, was distracted by terrorist attacks and domestic political reforms.
During a three-day official visit to Tajik capital Dushanbe this week, Khatami and his counterpart President Emomali Rakhmonov discussed energy and infrastructure projects. The two nations also clinched a deal to launch a joint venture that would finalize construction of the 670-megawatt Sangtudin hydropower station in Tajikistan.
Last December, Tajikistan and Iran agreed to launch a consortium to raise funds to complete the Sangtudin plant. On Monday, Rakhmonov said Iran would bear 51% of the total construction cost, estimated at about US$500 million. Forty-nine percent of the project is to be funded by Tajikistan and other countries, including Russia. Moscow has put up $100 million for the project.
Khatami is also reported to have observed the construction site of the five-kilometer-long Anzub Tunnel crossing the Gissar mountain range, which is slated to be part of a highway project to link Tajikistan and Iran via northern Afghanistan. The tunnel is being built by Iranian firm Sobir, which won an international tender by pledging to complete construction by the end of 2006 for $39 million. The 110km road from Iran to Herat, Afghanistan, has already been built. Khatami also pledged that Iran would invest more than $700 million in the Tajik economy in the coming five years.
Subsequently, Iran's leader opted to come up with some diplomatic overtures toward Moscow. On Sunday, Khatami told journalists in Dushanbe that cooperation with Russia had benefited the region. He hailed Iran's nuclear plant deal with Moscow, and lauded Russia for continued ties with Iran, despite US pressure. "We need cooperation with Russia for safeguarding stability in Central Asia, the Caspian and Caucasus regions," Khatami was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying.
Nevertheless, Khatami's tour of the former Soviet states could be viewed as Tehran's attempt to poach a territory still considered by Moscow as "near abroad", at a time when Russia is overwhelmed by its terrorist outbreaks.
From last Thursday to Saturday, Khatami visited Belarus, where he met with President Alexander Lukashenko, Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky and other top Belarusian officials. Iran has close relations with Belarus, which is regularly under verbal attack from the West for the authoritarian regime of Lukashenko. Russia has also been struggling to create a "union state" with Belarus. And despite Western criticism, Belarus sold Russian-made conventional military equipment and spare parts to Iran.
While in Belarus, Khatami took the opportunity to criticize the US-led "war on terror", saying that "crises and tensions in the Middle East only serve the illegitimate interests of outsiders", and that "countries that prevent others from living in peace" in their homelands are the real members of the "axis of evil". He also claimed that "injustice and discrimination" were the causes of terrorism.
"Those who illegally occupy land belonging to others and those who fuel chaos and extremism worldwide are the main components of the axis of evil," Khatami said. Leaving no doubt whom he bore in mind, Khatami also lashed out at "the Zionist regime".
Top Belarus officials told Khatami that they shared Iran's opposition to unilateralism and believe that countries that label others as members of the "axis of evil" do so just to pursue their own interests. Incidentally, some years ago, Lukashenko gained international notoriety by suggesting that Nazi leader Adolf Hitler had certain merits for restoring order in Germany and making the economy grow.
Prior to the Belarus visit, on September 8-9, Khatami traveled to yet another former Soviet state, Armenia, mainly driven by economic reasons. Khatami and his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian signed a framework treaty on the "principles and bases" of bilateral relations. They also formalized the release of a $30 million Iranian loan to Armenia, to be used for construction of a gas pipeline that will link the two neighboring countries. The construction of the Armenian section of its gas pipeline with Iran is expected to begin by the end of next month. Iranian company Sanir is to become a subcontractor for the project.
Hence Armenia is limiting its dependence on Russian energy supplies. In May, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh traveled to Armenia and signed an agreement on the construction of the 114km Iran-Armenia gas pipeline that would cost $120 million. Iran reportedly agreed to supply 1.27 trillion cubic feet (36 billion cubic meters) to Armenia from 2007-27.
The Iran-Armenia pipeline could also be extended through Georgia to Ukraine and on to the European Union. The Iran-Armenia-Georgia-Ukraine-Europe gas pipeline, with a 550km underwater section from the Georgian port of Supsa to the Crimean town of Feodosia, has been estimated to cost $5 billion. The planned gas supply would amount to 2.12 trillion cubic feet (60 billion cubic meters) per annum, including 353 billion cubic feet (10 billion cubic meters) for Ukraine.
Russia has been wary that Armenia's extended pipeline could be used to funnel Iranian gas to European markets. It could also allow Turkmenistan to circumvent Russia's gas-pipeline network. Presumably fearing Moscow's wrath, Armenia is yet to make a decision on the extended pipeline.
Meanwhile, Russia has reiterated its proactive approach in the "near abroad". Last Thursday, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia is ready to face Western competition in the former Soviet states. "Our world is being globalized and one need learn to compete," he told Voice of Russia Radio. "We have to defend our line in the pursuit of energy and other natural resources, we have capabilities for it," Lavrov said.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Russia is prepared to face non-Western competition, such as Iran.
Sergei Blagov covers Russia and post-Soviet states, with special attention to Asia-related issues. He has contributed to Asia Times Online since 1996. Between 1983 and 1997, he was based in Southeast Asia. In 2001 and 2002, Nova Science Publishers, New York, published two of his books on Vietnamese history.
(Copyright 2004 Asia Times Online Ltd. All rights reserved. Please contact content@atimes.com for information on our sales and syndication policies.)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FI16Ak02.html
Russia and Iran maintain a cooperative/competitive arrangement. The countries discussed in the following text are also being courted by the United States and China. One reason the United States is trying to gain influence in the region is to install missile defense bases in order to contain Iran.
#msg-3534540
#msg-3972175
Note on Armenia:
Watch for Bush to keep troops in Iraq and a concentrated effort to bring Armenia under U.S. dominance thus securing Iran’s northern border.
#msg-3912582
In 1997, Armenia and Russia signed a friendship treaty, under which they provided for mutual assistance in the event of a military threat to either party. The pact also allows Russian border guards to patrol Armenia’s frontiers with Turkey and Iran.
#msg-3912582
Currently, there are 2,500 Russian military personnel stationed in the country. Recent military materiel shipped to Armenia includes MiG-29 jetfighters and S300 PMU1 air defense batteries, an advanced version of the SA-10C Grumble air defense missile. Russia’s Federal Border Guard Service is also deployed to guard Armenia’s borders with Turkey and Iran.
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav091404.shtml
-Am
Ayatollahs play in Russia's backyard
By Sergei Blagov
September 16, 2004
MOSCOW - Amid growing Western pressure over Iran's nuclear ambitions, Tehran is losing no time in boosting its clout north of its frontiers. Furthermore, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami toured three former Soviet states when their former "big brother", Russia, was distracted by terrorist attacks and domestic political reforms.
During a three-day official visit to Tajik capital Dushanbe this week, Khatami and his counterpart President Emomali Rakhmonov discussed energy and infrastructure projects. The two nations also clinched a deal to launch a joint venture that would finalize construction of the 670-megawatt Sangtudin hydropower station in Tajikistan.
Last December, Tajikistan and Iran agreed to launch a consortium to raise funds to complete the Sangtudin plant. On Monday, Rakhmonov said Iran would bear 51% of the total construction cost, estimated at about US$500 million. Forty-nine percent of the project is to be funded by Tajikistan and other countries, including Russia. Moscow has put up $100 million for the project.
Khatami is also reported to have observed the construction site of the five-kilometer-long Anzub Tunnel crossing the Gissar mountain range, which is slated to be part of a highway project to link Tajikistan and Iran via northern Afghanistan. The tunnel is being built by Iranian firm Sobir, which won an international tender by pledging to complete construction by the end of 2006 for $39 million. The 110km road from Iran to Herat, Afghanistan, has already been built. Khatami also pledged that Iran would invest more than $700 million in the Tajik economy in the coming five years.
Subsequently, Iran's leader opted to come up with some diplomatic overtures toward Moscow. On Sunday, Khatami told journalists in Dushanbe that cooperation with Russia had benefited the region. He hailed Iran's nuclear plant deal with Moscow, and lauded Russia for continued ties with Iran, despite US pressure. "We need cooperation with Russia for safeguarding stability in Central Asia, the Caspian and Caucasus regions," Khatami was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying.
Nevertheless, Khatami's tour of the former Soviet states could be viewed as Tehran's attempt to poach a territory still considered by Moscow as "near abroad", at a time when Russia is overwhelmed by its terrorist outbreaks.
From last Thursday to Saturday, Khatami visited Belarus, where he met with President Alexander Lukashenko, Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky and other top Belarusian officials. Iran has close relations with Belarus, which is regularly under verbal attack from the West for the authoritarian regime of Lukashenko. Russia has also been struggling to create a "union state" with Belarus. And despite Western criticism, Belarus sold Russian-made conventional military equipment and spare parts to Iran.
While in Belarus, Khatami took the opportunity to criticize the US-led "war on terror", saying that "crises and tensions in the Middle East only serve the illegitimate interests of outsiders", and that "countries that prevent others from living in peace" in their homelands are the real members of the "axis of evil". He also claimed that "injustice and discrimination" were the causes of terrorism.
"Those who illegally occupy land belonging to others and those who fuel chaos and extremism worldwide are the main components of the axis of evil," Khatami said. Leaving no doubt whom he bore in mind, Khatami also lashed out at "the Zionist regime".
Top Belarus officials told Khatami that they shared Iran's opposition to unilateralism and believe that countries that label others as members of the "axis of evil" do so just to pursue their own interests. Incidentally, some years ago, Lukashenko gained international notoriety by suggesting that Nazi leader Adolf Hitler had certain merits for restoring order in Germany and making the economy grow.
Prior to the Belarus visit, on September 8-9, Khatami traveled to yet another former Soviet state, Armenia, mainly driven by economic reasons. Khatami and his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian signed a framework treaty on the "principles and bases" of bilateral relations. They also formalized the release of a $30 million Iranian loan to Armenia, to be used for construction of a gas pipeline that will link the two neighboring countries. The construction of the Armenian section of its gas pipeline with Iran is expected to begin by the end of next month. Iranian company Sanir is to become a subcontractor for the project.
Hence Armenia is limiting its dependence on Russian energy supplies. In May, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh traveled to Armenia and signed an agreement on the construction of the 114km Iran-Armenia gas pipeline that would cost $120 million. Iran reportedly agreed to supply 1.27 trillion cubic feet (36 billion cubic meters) to Armenia from 2007-27.
The Iran-Armenia pipeline could also be extended through Georgia to Ukraine and on to the European Union. The Iran-Armenia-Georgia-Ukraine-Europe gas pipeline, with a 550km underwater section from the Georgian port of Supsa to the Crimean town of Feodosia, has been estimated to cost $5 billion. The planned gas supply would amount to 2.12 trillion cubic feet (60 billion cubic meters) per annum, including 353 billion cubic feet (10 billion cubic meters) for Ukraine.
Russia has been wary that Armenia's extended pipeline could be used to funnel Iranian gas to European markets. It could also allow Turkmenistan to circumvent Russia's gas-pipeline network. Presumably fearing Moscow's wrath, Armenia is yet to make a decision on the extended pipeline.
Meanwhile, Russia has reiterated its proactive approach in the "near abroad". Last Thursday, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia is ready to face Western competition in the former Soviet states. "Our world is being globalized and one need learn to compete," he told Voice of Russia Radio. "We have to defend our line in the pursuit of energy and other natural resources, we have capabilities for it," Lavrov said.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Russia is prepared to face non-Western competition, such as Iran.
Sergei Blagov covers Russia and post-Soviet states, with special attention to Asia-related issues. He has contributed to Asia Times Online since 1996. Between 1983 and 1997, he was based in Southeast Asia. In 2001 and 2002, Nova Science Publishers, New York, published two of his books on Vietnamese history.
(Copyright 2004 Asia Times Online Ltd. All rights reserved. Please contact content@atimes.com for information on our sales and syndication policies.)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/FI16Ak02.html
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