Cyrill Vatomsky, Where All Politics Are Global

Kommersant reports that last night's CIS summit in Belarus capital of Minsk was the first summit not covered by the Russian media. A Kommersant photographer and two Moskovsky Komsomolets reporters were denied press credentials. Expressing solidarity, all journalists from Russia left the summit.

According to Kommersant, the issue with press credentials was going on for some time and at each step, a higher level Russian State official would get involved, get an agreement from Belarus officials only to see that agreement withdrawn later. The way Kommersant describes the situation leaves an impression of a deliberate harassment.

Moreover, also according to Kommersant, Prime Miniter of Belarus was denied access to the White House in Moscow when he wanted to have a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Fradkov. 

Lukashenka's Belarus has always been a close ally if not a friend of Russia. At some point Lukashenka was even trying to merge his Belarus into Russia, and now this? Last week Lukashenka suddenly suggested merging Belarus with the Ukraine. Earlier, Russia decided to jack up natural gas prices it charges Belarus. In response Lukashenka threatened to jack up transit tariffs for Russian import-export traffic that goes through Belarus. 

So, what in the world is going on? Is Lukashenka trying to steer his dilapidated ship away from Russia, or is it Russia that tries to distance itself from Belarus. Or, maybe this is just a clash of two stubborn autocrats - Lukashenka and Putin?

I am not a big fan of personality clash explanations. I prefer to suspect deeper issues behind even most mundane gestures.  According to Lev Ponomarev, a human rights activist in Russia - this moribund spasms of CIS.

"Lukashenka understands that CIS leaders are faced with unpleasant discussions and he does not want to air this laundry in front of the media."

I find this explanation a bit lacking, but on the other hand, CIS is in trouble. According to reports Putin met Georgia's Shalikashvili three times but the conversation never went beyond sniping back and forth. Could it be that Lukashenka smells an opportunity to jump ship and turn himself and his country towards Europe, rather then Russia?

Tell me of the company you keep and I will tell you who you are.