[R-G] Editorial: The Politics Of Pipelines

[Macdonald Stainsby]

Dawn (Pakistan)
June 18, 2006


The politics of gas pipelines


-Russia?s entry into the energy network in the region
that is being created will send a strong message to
the United States.
The days when it could act unilaterally in a unipolar
world with its own limitations are now drawing to a
close. With other powers - in this case Russia, Iran,
Pakistan, India and China - closing ranks it is
inevitable that they will resist the US hegemony to
protect their own interests if the need arises.
-Countries that have been bulldozed by the world?s
only superpower are now regrouping to mount a
resistance.
-As Russia and China assert themselves and prop up the
regional countries, the United States will be
compelled to rethink its approach to world affairs.



THE Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project has
received a shot in the arm with the Russian
president?s offer to participate in the venture.

President Putin, who met the Pakistani and Iranian
leaders at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation this week, has said that the Russian
agency Gazprom is willing to help the other IPI
partners in what he has described as a ?completely
realisable? scheme.

Russia?s backing for this project is of significance
not just from the technological and economic points of
view.

It has wider political and strategic implications for
international relations, especially in Central and
South Asia.

The IPI, which envisages a 2,600 kilometre gas
pipeline linking Iran?s south Pars gas fields with
Pakistan and then extends to India, is of vital
importance to both Pakistan and India given their
growing need for energy for their rapidly growing
economies.

The seven billion-dollar pipeline is expected to meet
their needs quite substantially.

But it is not clear what will be the source of
financing the project which is to be constructed in
three stages with each country being responsible for
the pipeline passing through its own territory.

Since Mr Putin did not elaborate on Gazprom?s role, it
is not possible to comment on that aspect.

But Russia?s interest in the IPI carries unmistakable
political significance, especially if it is remembered
that the Bush administration has been strongly opposed
to this project.

The basic cause of America?s displeasure is the dismal
state of its relations with Iran which has not changed
since 1979 when the Iranian revolution, with its
anti-imperialist orientation and the hostage incident,
led to a serious breach between the two countries.

More recently, the Iranian nuclear programme, which
provides for uranium enrichment, has drawn a hostile
reaction from the US.

If it had its way, America would have had more
sanctions imposed on Tehran.

Not surprisingly, Washington has brought pressure to
bear on India and Pakistan to abandon the project
which has far-reaching geostrategic implications for
this region.

Along with other gas pipeline projects, the IPI will
create an energy network that will link a number of
countries together.

As experience has shown, this kind of grouping of
nations for economic cooperation leads to political
bonding of them as well. This is what worries American
because it will then find it hard to browbeat such
powerful groupings.

Russia?s entry into the energy network in the region
that is being created will send a strong message to
the United States.

The days when it could act unilaterally in a unipolar
world with its own limitations are now drawing to a
close. With other powers - in this case Russia, Iran,
Pakistan, India and China - closing ranks it is
inevitable that they will resist the US hegemony to
protect their own interests if the need arises.

History is known to proceed in cycles and a shift in
the post-cold war pattern of international relations
was inevitable.

But the Bush administration, with its hamhanded and
unilateralist methods, has expedited the process of
change.

The IPI is a manifestation of a reaction setting in.

Countries that have been bulldozed by the world?s only
superpower are now regrouping to mount a resistance.

This countervailing process has already begun to be
seen and felt in the Iranian nuclear crisis -
mercifully, in the interest of world peace.

As Russia and China assert themselves and prop up the
regional countries, the United States will be
compelled to rethink its approach to world affairs.



-- 
Macdonald Stainsby
http://independentmedia.ca/survivingcanada
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/rad-green
In the contradiction lies the hope
    --Bertholt Brecht.