Books from a series "EuroOrient"
Moscow, Our knowledge of the current processes in Transcaucasia is shallow while the recent past of the new independent states is altogether unknown. Yet it is necessary to understand the nature of the historical foundations that the Georgian, Armenian and Azerbaijani historians are building their image of the past upon when they are eagerly serving their political order. In stead of an objective research what we are witnessing in the former soviet republics is predominantly the process of creation of political myths. The main object of the myth-creation is the process of formation of the independent states after the fallout of the Russian Empire. The book presents an outline of the first attempts to formulate the Azerbaijani statehood and to attach the Turk self-consciousness to the Azerbaijani identity. Basing upon firmly established facts the authors are proving that all these attempts were futile within that power area which was formed by the interests of Turkey, Britain, the Soviet Russia and the idealism of the US president Wilson. 
Compiled by K.I. Kazenin The war between Georgia and Abkhazia in 1992-93 has had tremendous consequences for the post-Soviet space. It resulted in the blocking of major transportation corridors, making communication between Russia and Transcaucasia significantly harder. This war has placed the «Abkhazian problem» on top of Georgia’s political agenda and has created a major obstacle to development of relations between Russia and Georgia. This book attempts to outline the long and complicated history of relationships between the two nations. The book contains fragments of published declarations, documents and memoirs relating to national problems of Abkhazia from the fall of the Russian Empire to the beginning of the war between Georgia and Abkhazia. A short chronology of Abkhazian history between 1917 and 1992 is included for the reader’s convenience. 
Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2006 pp 120 This brochure contains politically significant information about Dagestanis living in Azerbaijan. Principal historical milestones of the Dagestani peoples of Azerbaijan from the moment it acquired independence to year 2005 are set forth. It describes the socio-economic specifics of the situation on both sides of the border between Russia and Azerbaijan. An important place is given to the Azerbaijani authorities policy in the field of education, preservation of languages and culture of the Dagestani ethnos. The reader will also find a sort of ethno-cultural guide to the territories and the Dagestani peoples of Azerbaijan.
Moscow, "Evropa" Publishing House, 2006 - 288 pp. What do we know about the true story of the Brest peace accords? Almost nothing. Only some fragmented recollections of the Soviet books and films that mainly served as illustrations to Stalin's «Short history course of the Bolshevik party». These books are cursed with oblivion. However, the lengthy relation of the negotiations that led to a separate peace between the revolutionary Russia from the one side and Germany with its allies on the other reads almost like a detective novel. What makes it especially spicy – a fact that is little known outside a tiny circle of experts – is that the Russian diplomatic defeat in Brest-Litovsk was due not only to the inconsistent adventurism of the Petrograd negotiators. A key role in the game was played by a «joker». A new partner has unexpectedly joined the negotiating table, the Ukrainian Central Rada and – notwithstanding its precarious position – managed to sign a separate peace accord with Germany behind the back of the Petrograd delegation. 
Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2006, pp 564 The monograph deals with one of the most complicated and intricate periods in the history of Transcarpathia – the struggle of European powers for control over the region. The author discloses many previously unknown or controversial episodes of internal and external politics of neighboring states during this period. The book focuses on destinies of the large population that lived in Transcarpathia under various regimes. The book was written on the basis of previously unpublished materials from the archives of Hungary, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Russia. Many of these documents are today inaccessible. 
Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2006, pp 268 There are persistent allegations circulating in present-day Estonia that Estonian soldiers who served in the Wehrmacht during World War II did not take part in punitive actions against civilians, mass executions and extermination of Jews. These assertions come from not only Estonian war veterans and young neo-Nazis, who freely advance slogans hardly fit for a country accepted to the European Union, but also high-ranking officials, including Estonia’s ex-president Arnold Rььtel. The official view of current Estonian politicians is that Estonians in German uniform were fighting for freedom of Estonia only in their homeland and only against the Soviets, doing their utmost to «lay the foundation for continuation of resistance that brought about restoration of Estonian independence decades later». There happen more refined lies, yet this is an outrageous lie, refuted by the documents collected in this book, documents that speak for themselves and need no commentaries.
Moscow , Europe Publishing House, 2006, pp 400 The previously unpublished materials from Russian archives seem horrifying even 60 years after the events. Death seemed a happy deliverance, compared with sufferings and tortures that innocent citizens of Lithuania had to endure during the years of Nazi occupation. Reading eye-witness evidence, one is no longer surprised why people would ask for death as the only way to put an end to monstrous tortures and abuses they were subjected to. Total extermination became the fate of not only hated Soviet and party functionaries who were «guilty» of establishing the Soviet regime in Lithuania, not only Jews who are always «guilty» of everything just because they are Jews, but also Poles, clergymen, mentally disabled people, old people, nurslings. Lithuania was turned into a «factory of death». The documents in this collection constitute a mere fraction of what can be found in archives of Russia, Lithuania, Germany and other countries. 
Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2006, pp 256 The monograph is the first attempt in Russian historiography to analyze Bolshevik national policy with regard to the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in the 1920s-1930s, referred to as «Ukrainization». It is presented against a wide social and political background as an element of complex maneuvering of the Soviet leadership both in Moscow and in the Ukraine. The book reveals the background, stages and consequences of this policy, tracing its link to the general course of the party and state leadership. It also demonstrates the attitude to the Bolshevik national policy among the Ukrainian population - intellectuals, officials, workers and farmers. 
Compiled by Sergey Andreyev It is common knowledge that Ukraine is a large country made up of heterogeneous lands. It is also a well-known fact that the unitary or federative type of government does not in itself determine efficient representation of people’s interests. The discussion of the possibility or likelihood of Ukraine’s federalization is as old as the independent Ukrainian state itself. Political developments of the past years attracted attention primarily to the conflict between the Western and Eastern parts of the Ukraine, as well as the hard destiny of Crimea. However, the potential of federalization is significantly wider. Articles included in this collection were written at different times primarily by Ukrainian authors. They do not directly correlate with the recent events yet help to understand dynamics of development of the idea of changing the administrative and territorial structure of Ukraine. The articles deal with issues like bilingualism and cultural differences between different regions, criticism of the existing imperfect boundaries between administrative regions and districts, current proposals for restructuring the State.
Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2006, pp 344 Historical memory is short-lived. Half a century has passed since the time when the words «Never again should it be repeated» resounded across countries of the anti-Hitler coalition. Today, we see hangmen and murderers being hailed as national heroes. Cutthroats from police battalions and «Waffen-SS» Legionnaires, who were qualified by the International Nuremberg Tribunal as criminals, are presented to the young generation of democratic Latvia as fighters for freedom and independence. What really happened in Latvia between 1941 and 1944? What was the Latvian Volunteer SS Legion and how was it recruited, what were the true activities of the «Arais detachment», what were Aizsarg functions and how spotless is the Legionnaires’ record? These and many other questions are answered in the present collection of archive documents – «White Book» on Latvia during the fascist occupation.
Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2006, pp 160 The brochure deals with major problems that face ethnic Azerbaijanis living in the region of Kvemo-Kartli (Borchaly – Azeri) of Georgia. The author presents a historical view of the life of Azerbaijanis in Georgia, shedding light upon the active discrimination policy of Georgian authorities that dates back to the late ‘80s and is revealed in such spheres as land use, education and social life. The author supports his views with facts and statistics, which adds substance to this work. The brochure is intended to break the information blockade imposed by Georgian authorities on all facts concerning problems of Azerbaijanis living in Georgia.
Compiled by the News agency REGNUM Along with restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, which is the main issue for the country, the Azerbaijani society is concerned about many related problems, including the role and interests of Iran in the conflict and the fate of Azerbaijani relics in territories controlled by Armenians. This brochure offers a deeper understanding of motivations behind various international moves taken by the Azerbaijani side, leaving no place for doubts that settlement of the Karabakh conflict remains today a major element of not only foreign policy but also internal politics of Azerbaijan.
Compiled by the News agency REGNUM The brochure may be regarded as a sort of reference book on geography of ethnic conflicts that may flare up at any moment. The well-informed authors demonstrate that the US, engaged in persistent and extremely risky orchestration of ethnic strife, does not seem to have learned anything from the tragedy of Yugoslavia’s disintegration and the drama of Iraq. The US has been pursuing the strategic policy of creating Islamic trouble spots in order to weaken Europe and Turkey, playing on autonomy aspirations within Hungarian communities in Romania and among the Gagauz people in Moldova and simultaneously opposing the autonomy of Transdniestria in Moldova, Abkhazia and the Armenian enclave of Dzhavakheti in Georgia. All these hot spots are in Russia’s immediate vicinity and have an immediate effect upon us. It is therefore essential to know the map of conflicts in the final stage of the Bush administration.
Foreword and text preparation by O. Sapozhnikov and I. Sapozhnikova «Synopsis» is a tractate authored by Innocent Ginzel, warden of the Kiev-Mogilyansk Academy and archimandrite of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. It was written shortly after the Pereyaslav Treaty (Pereyaslav Rada), which ratified the joining of Ukraine and Russia. For more than a century, this book used to be the only available textbook in Russian history. With the appearance of authentic historical studies, beginning with Lomonosov, the «Synopsis» became one of historical relics, some of which all of a sudden acquired new relevance in our days. «Synopsis» clearly demonstrates that the idea of uniting all Russian people in a single state was born not in Moscow but in Southwestern lands and acquired a final form in Kiev. Today, as our neighbors are showered with a flow of publications whose authors derive Ukrainian statehood from even ancient Scythians and Sarmatians, this old text, with its references to «Russia», «Rus», «Russian Land», «Russian State», «all Russian states», «all Russian reigns», etc., sounds especially impressive. In the last two chapters of the «Synopsis», we can see references to «the Great, Little and White Russia», but not a single occurrence of the word «Ukraine» or its derivative «Ukrainian».
Collection of articles edited by I. Zadorin Politicians are more or less successful in reaching agreements, newspapers and TV are more or less successful in waging information campaigns, yet what do citizens of Russia and Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine really think about the aims, meaning and chances of their countries’ economic integration? As always, the results of studies run counter to established stereotypes. It appears that, despite nostalgic myths, people in the neighboring countries are becoming increasingly different, and the idea of real economic rapprochement triggers concerns and objections not only with politicians but also with ordinary people. This does not apply only to Ukraine, which appears to be the most fidgety partner among the four countries. Sociological polls show that Russian citizens are also apprehensive about both the inflow of workers from neighboring states and their property acquisitions in the Russian territory.
Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2006, pp 232 Russia will have to deal with the unpredictable Ukraine for quite a while. The situation in other neighboring countries is also full of uncertainty. The question of legitimacy of actions of both the authorities and various opposition forces has acquired vital importance. Previous «Europe» publications have presented the "orange revolution" as a chain of developments, whereas Sergey Mirzoev is now analyzing them as a lawyer. It appears that even the most bizarre concepts of legitimacy may be not only implanted but also enforced, using certain technologies. It appears that, if authorities are unable to defend their legitimacy, the authority legitimacy crisis can be successfully managed from abroad, using NGOs, parliamentary resolutions and direct falsifications prepared with active participation from European international observers. Of particular interest is the detailed analysis of actions of the Ukraine's Supreme Court, which bears full responsibility for the Pyrrhic victory of the "Orangists". The book is particularly relevant today, in the midst of the sharp confrontation between the president and parliament on the eve of the Verkhovna Rada elections and, possibly, a referendum on the nature of Ukrainian authority.
Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2006, pp 472 South Ossetia is usually remembered in connection with another «prowess» of subordinates of Georgian presidents, from Gamsakhurdia to Saakashvili. Little is known, however, of the origins of this conflict. The detailed book by Mark Bliev immerses the reader in history, from ancient times to an account of Georgian princes’ age-old attempts to strip the Ossetians of their freedom and land, and extremely inconsistent actions of Russian governors in the Caucasus, who more often than not became an instrument of repression against the Ossetians. It was only Nicholas I who seemed to understand the situation better than others and opposed wide punitive measures against the Ossetians who became divided by the mid-19th century: while North Ossetia lived by the laws of the Russian Empire, South Ossetia practically remained under the authority of Georgian oppressors, and serfdom was not abolished here. Stalin continued with this tradition, shifting the borders with Georgia so that it gained control of the entire Voyenno-Gruzinskaya road. The book offers a valuable opportunity to trace attempts of the independent Georgia to expel Ossetians from their homeland. To start with, in 1990, Georgia denied South Ossetia the right of autonomy. The Sochi accords signed at the time when Shevardnadze was playing up to Yeltsin made Russia the sole guarantor of South Ossetia’s existence, which is constantly threatened by the adventurism of Tbilisi.
Foreword by A.Ch.Kasaev You are holding the «White book» of ethnic cleansing of the Ossetian people by Georgia. The conflict has been smoldering for a long time. In 1830, the Russian government made a clear verdict with regard to the matter: the Georgians do not have any rights to South Ossetia. Stalin, in his usual manner of laying down time bombs on borders between neighboring peoples, sacrificed the Ossetians in favor of the Georgian SSR. In 1938, the Ossetian alphabet was replaced with the Georgian script. Since 1949, the entire education in Ossetian schools, including primary school forms, was converted to Georgian. The attack on the language was followed by an attack on the people. In 1991, the skirmish between Gorbachev and Yeltsin kept Moscow unaware of what was going on in the South. There was no one to stop Zviad Gamsahurdia. According to the 1989 USSR population census, there were 164 thousand Ossetians living in Georgia. By the year 2002, only 38 thousand Ossetians remained there. 
Moscow , Europe Publishing House, 2005, pp 528 The interest in Serbia is down to zero. This is sad. The bombing of Serbia is over, Kostunica is groveling before Europe, and Milosevic is waging a hopeless battle with the machinery of the International Court, which is famous for applying double standards, - but a detailed retrospective analysis of the Yugoslavian drama is of more than historical interest. A collection of articles by Serbian political analysts and economists, their analysis of the defeat, its causes and chances for going out of the deadlock may become exceedingly relevant at almost any minute. This book is a warning, and it is for the readers to show whether or not they are able to learn a lesson from the experience of their old friends. 
Foreword by M.V.Dimurin Under the slogans of fighting Russian «occupation», the regimes that have established themselves in Latvia and Estonia are not only rewriting textbooks. In fact, they are waging an all-out war against historical memory of the majority of their own population. With a pedantry colored with passion, the new authorities are trying to make people forget the kind of lives and careers they had in Soviet times. With a particular zest, they are striving to convince each and everyone that all their nations were concerned about was resistance against the Soviets. Yes, there really were some national Baltic units in Hitler’s army, and their veterans openly wear Nazi awards. However, there were also other military units and different kinds of awards that are now forbidden to display. In the face of such vigorous propaganda war, an ingenuous chronicle of the formation and fighting of the Latvian and Estonian divisions within the Soviet Army during the Great Patriotic War gains a special importance.
Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2005, pp 52 The book narrates stories of two presidents who seemingly cannot have anything in common. One of them, Vladimir Voronin, came to power a few years ago, turning his state into a high-profit family oligarchy. The other, Francois Duvalier, has long ago finished ruling Haiti. The author examines, on the basis of extensive factual materials, similarities between the two family regimes - their handling of political opponents, treatment of their countries' economies, the attitude toward the international community, observance of democratic norms and obligations.
Foreword by G.O.Pavlovsky Although mass media never forget to report scandals that happen now and then in countries neighboring Russia, Russian citizens, who are at the same time citizens of the Union State with Byelorussia, know practically nothing about that country. Yuri Shvetsov paints over the strange "blank spot" on the map of our imagination with all colors of the palette, never resorting to either black or white. 
Moscow, Europe publishing house, 2005, pp 96 Estonia is unlike other countries in that a fifth of its population does not have the citizenship of their country of residence. The overwhelming majority of these are former Soviet citizens who lived in the republic before 1991. The largest group within the non-citizen category is apatrides, followed by citizens of the Russian Federation. This publication offers detailed information on the current status of Estonian non-citizens, particularly the legal aspects of this problem. It is intended for all those interested in current Estonian policy to its non-titular population.
Moscow, Europe publishing house, 2005, pp 100 The inauguration ceremony of the new Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline took place in Baku on May 25, 2005. This highly publicized event gave rise to all kinds of speculations among political analysts as to possible consequences for Russia with regard to Kazakhstan oil bypassing its territory. What are the economic factors (both external and internal) influencing the possibility of hydrocarbon – in the first place, oil – exports from Kazakhstan? How are all these factors related to the situation in Russia and its possible actions? The current study is an attempt at objective analysis of the current situation. 
Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2005, pp 104 Peoples in danger of extinction – this expression usually refers to tribes lost in Amazon rainforests or New Guinea valleys. It is much more seldom that the Far East or the northernmost regions of Russia are recalled, where, most likely, even fewer ethnic groups will be found in the next census than before. The fact that the Setu people still exists will come as a complete surprise for the absolute majority of people. It is impossible to determine the exact numbers of the Setu, for some of them do call themselves with this name, while others more often use other names, some speak the language of their ancestors quite fluently, while others know just a couple of phrases. Today, this small people, dwindling with every next generation and inhabiting the same territory from times immemorial, has found itself cut in two by the Russian-NATO border. Part of the Setu lives in Pskov region, while the other part inhabits Estonia. There are two cultural communities of the Setu, and relationships between them are far from ideal. The people has become a hostage to big politics.
Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2005, pp 68 Speaking about economic outlooks, one can surely simply ignore the ex-Soviet Baltic republics. After all, this is a very small market with a total population below that of St. Petersburg and its region, and a post-industrial development level way lower than that of Finland. However, it would not be wise to ignore this region altogether. There is densely populated Poland nearby, with a precipitously rising foreign debt. There are Estonia and Latvia, solving part of their problems by labor emigration. Development of Russia’s Kaliningrad region substantially depends on knowledge of the economic policy of its neighbors. There is also Pskov region, which has a chance to draw over to its territory some of the industries that will not be able to survive in the Baltics. The concise analysis of the regional economic situation presented in this brochure will be found useful by all those who regard regional development as the principal direction for Russia’s short-term advancement. 
Compiled by the News agency REGNUM The world is witnessing a strange argument – while Vladimir Putin in his President’s Messages is reminding us of a threat to territorial integrity and sovereignty of Russia, liberals in Moscow and Tallinn are denying it all. All participants in the debate were born in a world that is non-existent, in countries that have been effaced from the maps - the USSR, for instance. Nevertheless, Putin's mention of the recent geopolitical catastrophe aroused a squall of objections. The sovereignty of Russia is an illness of Europe, our allies are carriers of a dangerous virus, and EuroOrient is an infected zone. In this book, REGNUM analysts are drawing detailed maps of the "sanitary war" waged against Russia.
Compiled by M.B.Pogrebinsky This collection of articles comprises a chronicle and analysis of the events in Kiev, viewed by their immediate participants (among others, the compilers of this collection of articles). The book also contains analysis by political scientists from various European countries. |
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© Publishing House "Europe", 2005-2006
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