March 2014
Hosting the Winter Olympics at Sochi gave Russia a big chance to present a positive image of itself to the world. RUB 51 billion was spent on preparing Sochi for the international extravaganza and people around the world watched as Sochi’s mascot bear shed a single tear and a new door to greatness opened for Russia.
Reviewing how the Ukraine crisis unfolded, it is clear that the Russian leadership made plans for a next Crimean War on the day of the closing ceremony of the Olympics. It did not take the world long to submerge the white memories of Sochi in what followed immediately. Russia’s efforts over the past 20 years to create a new image for itself as member of the exclusive G8club, and to present Moscow as the world’s new economic center have received a serious setback.
Russia has been a beacon to many countries, but today even the “-stan”s look at Putin in fear, not with hope. The world has seen how Ukraine’s former President Yanukovich paid the price for his friendship with Putin and also how a friend’s support can divide a nation.
This month’s cover picture is that of our bankrupt railway, which is perennially touted as the symbol of the “fraternal relationship” between Russia and Mongolia. The present Railway Policy of Mongolia was designed to favour Russian interests, and it is no surprise that it has proved to be of great harm to the Mongolian economy. We have to be an export-based economy but we do not have a railway to move our chief export item, mineral products. Our efforts to get one are slowly delivering us into the hands of our neighbours.
Pipes carrying Russian gas to the rest of Europe go through the territory of Ukraine, assuring that country of some support from its European neighbours, near and far. Does Mongolia have any such source of support? Our geographic location can be considered the least helpful in today’s situation. China’s statement that it fully supports Russia’s military moves in Ukraine shows how close our two neighbours have become. In such circumstances, what chance does Mongolia have to develop its economy independently?
The railway gauge is no longer an issue. Russia and China can negotiate and determine what gauge the railway in Mongolia will have. They will arrange for changes near their borders if found necessary. The Mongolian Parliament or Government will have little to say on which gauge is suitable for Mongolia. Russia and China between themselves will determine the gauge, the transit points and price.
Six years ago, in 2009, before the Policy on Railway was passed, the Mongolian economy saw some light through thick clouds just for a while. But we couldn’t use that opportunity. After Ukraine, many more Mongolians have begun to fear for their future.