The Russian Far East: A Reference Guide for Conservation and Development by Josh s> Newell (review)

Abstract

584 SEER, 84, 3, JULY 2006 his country'slanguage laws, and was keen to declare Russian a state-language alongsideTurkmen;his dual citizenshiplaw also seemed extremelyaccommodating towardsthe ethnic Russiansin Turkmenistan.Despite Niyazov's ambitions for isolation and lack of interest in politicized organizations, Moscow remained the main channel for outside cooperation,particularlyin regardsto gas exports.Jonson also arguesthat both Kyrgyzstanand Tajikistanwere bent on diversification.Tajikistanwas not in a position to do so, especially after the contributions made by Russia's 20ISt Motor Rifle Division throughout the Civil War. Jonson acknowledges this point, but generally argues that Tajikistan, being the only Persian-speakingstate and having close ties with Afghanistan,was prone to move awayfromRussia.Tajikistanstillremainsone of the most pro-Russian successor states in the former Soviet sphere and its Persian language and ethnic kinfolk in Afghanistan do not appear to have influenced Russian-Tajik relations. As for Kyrgyzstan, its problems with Islamic extremismand concern regardinghegemonic neighbours,has further encouragedit to staywithin the Russianfold.Jonson talksabout Russia'sinfluences in Central Asia but overlooks one of the most essential influences that has guaranteed Central Asian loyalty, that is the effects of Russification, particularly behavioural Russification on the Central Asian population. Kazakhstan and Jonson does not explain how it re-orientated it foreign policy away from Russia in the I99OS often saw the creation of the CIS as a way in which it was guaranteed that Russia would remain involved in Central Asian affairs. Russia's influences in the region have never been challenged more than they are today, and not throughoutthe I99os. While the formerbook looks more closely at the internaldynamics related to democracyin Muslim Eurasia,Jonsoncoversa range of issuesrelatedto the whirlpool of competing influencesin Central Asia. School ofSlavonic andEastEuropean Studies HALA HADDAD University College London Newell, Josh (ed.). TheRussianFar East:A Reference Guide for Conservation and Development. Daniel & Daniel, McKinleyville, CA, 2004. xx + 466 pp. Maps. Figures.Tables. Appendices. Notes. Index. $99.95. RESEARCHERS and analystsrealize that the Russia Federation'sfuture role in international affairswill be one of powerful, long-term consequence. Critics of 'Russian democracy' fault the diminished free press, the tight control of regional governments, a questionable human rights record, and a continued robber-baron mentality in industry. Economically, bureaucratic red tape continues to hamper efficiency, the middle class has yet to fully emerge and the environment is often sacrificedfor economic gain. Despite the problems, Russia has extraordinarypotential with a highly educated population and a wealth of natural resourcesincluding minerals, fossil fuels, ocean fisheries, forestsand biodiversity. In 7The RussianFarEast,Josh Newell and ninety contributingauthors have produced an essentialreferencebook to understandhow the RussianFar East REVIEWS 585 (RFE) may develop. One motivation behind the book is a vision that future development will be accompanied by a healthy dose of conservation.Newell provides insight and offers cautious optimism on the political front. But that is not the intent of the book. The intention is to cover most, if not all, of the issues that will influence development and conservation in the RFE. And for this, they must be commended for a superbjob. The text is clear, well organizedand the authorsrepresenta wide range of perspectiveand expertise. The facts and analysissimultaneouslyaccount for the historicinfluenceof the Soviet era while providing up-to-date materialon recent developments. After a well-written overview, the structureof the book allows for quick reference to political subdivisionswithin the RFE (krais,oblasts, republicsor okrugs), and then quick reference to topics within each region. Although the emphasis of these topics may vary from region to region, the pieces were written by Russian specialistsin most cases and provide rare insight. Within the 'Overview'and then each chapter(i.e. region),there is a brief summaryof basic facts,and then six topical sectionsaddressparticularareas.Each chapter includes six sections. Section one is an ecology section that provides information on basic flora and fauna, the status of the protected area network (e.g. state forests, zapovedniks, national parks), followed by a summary of the 'biodiversityhotspots' that featuresresources of particularconcern. The second section on the economy features industry and resources that create an economic foundationfor the region. In additionto naturalresourceextraction, many areas have some industrialcapabilityand the authorsprofile a region's potential as well as currentactivities.The thirdsection titled...