The Ukrainian Observer

ISSUE: 220/4 "Truth is worth more than 10 goats -- maybe even 15." -Harvey. UKRAINE HEADLINES - Magazine Cover - Click to see enlarged [#] Dear Readers, This month the Observer digs into a major national political issue, Ukraine's NATO relations, which are likely to get a lot of public attention over the next couple of years. We look at current realities and also present a colorful panorama of NATO historical events internationally and domestically. We believe you'll find this special section stimulating and thought-provoking. In his Workplace feature, Mike Willard takes a look at that most peculiar breed of animal, the U.S. presidential press secretary, and tells why good press secretaries are very good - and why some fail to meet expectations. Read more » DAILY NEWS from WILLARD NEWS SERVICE Ukraine implements new border rules for Transdniestria Ukraine's tightening up of border rules against exports from Moldova's breakaway region of Transdnestria has sparked strong opposition from the unrecognized republic and Russia. The new rules, which took effect on March 3, require that all cargoes from the Transdnestria region be cleared by Moldovan customs officers. The rules have resulted in the turning back of goods from the region. In return, Ukrainian trucks are currently being blocked from entering Transniestria, with about 100 backed up on the border on Monday (13 March) and with "low-level" anti-Ukraine protests at customs points. According to the Ukrainian Transportation Minister Viktor Bondar, Ukrainian National Railways (UkrZalyznytsia) is losing $1.3 million a day, but this is temporary. Besides, Ukraine's budget was short $200 million each year due to the Transdniester illegal trading, he told a press conference today. The region, bordering Ukraine on the east, used to export goods through Ukraine other than Moldova. At the end of 2005 Moldovan and Ukrainian prime ministers issued a joint statement, requiring that exports from the Transdnestr region must have certificates from the Moldovan authorities. However, the decision was suspended on January 25 by the Ukrainian president. Its not clear yet why Kyiv took a U-turn in the border issue. However, expers suggest that the decision was squeesed by Washington and Brussels officials. The EU has 50 customs officers working on the Ukraine-Transniestria border under a new mission launched last December, with the mission contributing to Ukraine's move by lifting the lid on "shady" companies operating in the region, an EU official said. Russia put its 1,100 troops in Transniestria on alert last week after Transniestrian leader Igor Smirnov broke off the five-plus-two talks (Ukraine, Moldova, Transnistria, Russia, OSCE, and EU- US). 14.03 2006, 19:48 Gas Fortune Telling For the whole week Ukraine has been watching with a sinking heart the Cabinet of Ministers which was to decide whether to approve the establishment of a gas joint venture between RosUkrEnergo and Naftogaz Ukraine or not. On Thursday the deal has been finally signed. Ukraine will receive 34 billion cubic meters of Russian and Central Asian gas this year "for the lowest price for all post-Soviet countries except Belarus," state-owned Naftogas energy company press spokesman told The Ukrainian Observer. According to the agreement, Ukraine's industrial consumers will be supplied by the new intermediatory - UkrGasEnergo, a joint venture owned 50-50 by Naftogaz and RosUkrEnergo, a Swiss-registered trader, half-owned by Gazprom and half-owned by Austria’s Raiffeisen. Member of Naftogaz board Igor Voronin was appointed the chairman of the new company’s board. Supervisory council of Ukrgaz-Energo will be headed by Gazprom’s deputy chairman Alexander Ryazanov. Naftogaz retains the right to supply residential consumers. The statut fund of the company is 5 million hryvna (about $990,000). Ukraine's government officials also say that Kyiv will keep control over the national lucrative pipeline system and its vast underground gas storage. Meanwhile Gazprom’s representatives did not confirm the announcement made by Naftogaz about the five-year contract. Even more so, Ryazanov said that the sides did not even agree on the price of gas that will be delivered to Ukraine in the second half of 2005, because this figure depends on the price of Turkmen gas delivered to Russia. It is still remains a mystery whether Gazprom decided to agreee to the set gas prices for the five-year term or the new venture is just the other way to buy Gasprom some time while negotiations continue. 03.02 2006, 16:41 WNS News brief: Meat for the Lighthouses The WNS news bief More>> CONTACT US UKRAINIAN DAYBOOK Events, Facts, News from Ukraine UKRAINE UPDATE The Ukrainian Observer provides daily news headlines and briefs Monday through Friday. COVER The NATO way station on the road to Europe COLUMNISTS RANDOM NOTES: The Case Against NATO THE WORKPLACE: A Press Secretary Bites the Dust LATITUDES and ATTITUDES: Time Out DIALOGUE AND DEBATE NATO and the World NATO-Ukraine relations Why I believe Ukraine's future lies with the West and NATO Why I Believe NATO Membership is not in Ukraine’s Best Interest KNOWLEDGE CENTER The Second Battle of Poltava? The complex logistics of the cheeseburger EASTERN APPROACHES The changed look of Ukraine's political Landscape Ukraine Elections 350 Years Ago Spring is in the Air Keeping mobile crime out of your pocket POTPOURRI Criminal Law A language lesson for the French Measurements that finally make sense COMMENTARY Danone Nations Cup RESTARAUNTS AND OUTLETS A Stroll in the Park? ARCHIVES The Ukraine Observer's previous issues To the current (last) issue CARTOON Cartoons gallery FOCUS ON THE WILLARD GROUP Web site of The Willard Group The Willard Group © 1999-2003