Russia's Medvedev calls for overhaul of European security

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday made a new demand for a sweeping overhaul of European security, saying NATO alone could not handle the continent's post-Cold War challengers. In a keynote speech at a media forum, he vowed to make Russia more free and open, and said that despite basic differences with the United States he looked forward to constructive dialogue with the next U.S. administration. "Is the Atlantic alliance sufficient to solve all of the problems of security in old Europe? In my opinion the answer is no," Medvedev told journalists at the Russian Media Congress in Moscow. "The solution would be to prepare an all-encompassing European agreement in which all the state of Europe took part ..... All the other institutions are based on divisive principles," he said. The Kremlin has repeatedly complained that NATO is moving to dominate European security, usurping the power of the United Nations and leaving Moscow out in the cold by planning expansion to Russia's borders. In his first major foreign policy speech since succeeding Vladimir Putin, Medvedev last week called for a European conference to discuss a new treaty. But the call, made on a trip to Berlin, has received a muted response. Getting European allies on board to discuss a broad new treaty might be difficult, analysts said. The idea that NATO should disappear as a force in Europe "is not much of a basis for a conference," independent military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer said earlier. The treaty proposal is little more than a reworking of Soviet-era proposals that had a "very weak impact on security in Europe," said Yevgeny Volk, head of the Moscow office of the U.S. Heritage Foundation. To reach an agreement, Russia would have to overcome what Medvedev described as "radically different" U.S. points of view on key security iddues in Europe. In particular, Medvedev named U.S. plans to extend a missile shield into the Czech Republic and Poland, the enlargement of NATO, and the Cold-War era Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty. But the kremlin chief said he had "guarded optimism" about ties with whoever comes to power in the United States in a November presidential election. In an apparent bid to distance himself from the authoritarian trends seen in Russia in recent years Medvedev also vowed to build a freer society. "Our immutable course will be the creation of a free and responsible society, the defense of human rights, freedom of the press and of speech and, of course, supremacy of the law," he said.

Ursula Hyzy

HOW TO LIVE WITH HIGH FUEL PRICES

Any reduction in subsidy is an emotional issue since this will mean people have to pay more for goods affected by such a decision. Therefore, last week's hefty increases in the price of petrol and diesel have not been well received, as consumers have to dig deeper into their pockets to meet rising prices of goods and services. It has to be admitted that the new rates have caught the public by surprise due to their sudden introduction and the reduction in subsidy for these two fuels. It was an unpopular decision and the government was forced to take this bold move because the global price of crude is getting out of control with serious financial and social consequences for everyone. It was becoming increasingly difficult for the subsidies to continue without bankrupting the nation in the long term. It was only prudent for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to bite the bullet. The public will have to accept this economic reality and make lifestyle changes accordingly, especially when it comes to using their own transport. The main purpose of reducing the subsidy is to curb demand for petrol and diesel. Hopefully, consumption will drop since motorists will come to realize that they cannot keep depending on subsidies. However, it will take a while for the government to determine whether this strategy is working; and if demand should still remain high, then it is not succeeding. With a few hundred thousand vehicles being registered each year, demand for petrol will remain quite constant since any slack-will be made up by the new arrivals. What is likely to change is that motorists may switch to more fuel-efficient models to cut down their petrol bills. They will also need to make fewer trips or use public transport to save money. While motorists may be angry and frustrated with the higher fuel prices, they should realize that this is the only course of action open to government. In any case, the ruling Barisan National leadership had never said it would reduce subsidy during and before the general election. It was the opposition that made such a pledge. Abdullah knew that it was a promise that would be difficult to fulfill since petroleum prices were due to external factors which are out of Malaysia's control. Of course there is nothing to stop state governments to provide special subsidies to their people to ease their financial burden. They are free to do so as a reward for the people's confidence in their leadership. The incentives introduced to offset the new fuel structure may not seem much, but they should be enough to relieve motorists financial burden. It is up to car owners to make the necessary changes in the way they drive since it is no longer possible to do as they pleased like before. They should rid themselves of the dole mentality. The sooner the better or pay the price for refusing to accept that things had changed economically and socially. The good old days are gone. The party is finally over and there will be no longer any free lunch. The days of cheap fuel are unlikely to return.

V K Chin.