The Commonwealth of Independent States.

Moscow, 2014

Contents.

The Commonwealth of Independent States……………………………………………………..3

Ukraine…………………………………………………………………………………………….6

Belorussia………………………………………………………………………………………….9

Kazakhstan……………………………………………………………………………………….11

Armenia…………………………………………………………………………………………..14

Georgia……………………………………………………………………………………………16

Azerbaidjan……………………………………………………………………………………….19

Turkmenistan……………………………………………………………………………………..20

Kyrgyzstan………………………………………………………………………………………...23

Tadjikistan………………………………………………………………………………………...25

Uzbekistan…………………………………………………………………………………………28

Moldova……………………………………………………………………………………………31

Questions for discussions………………………………………………………………………….33

Literature…………………………………………………………………………………………..42

Vocabulary:

commonwealth — содружество, федерация

Independent — независимый, самостоятельный; независящий (от чего-л./кого-л. — of)

alliance — союз; альянс (against; between; with); блок, объединение, федерация; союзник

permanent — постоянный, неизменный; долговременный; перманентный

membership — членство; звание члена

dissolution — распад государства, империи; конец, смерть; исчезновение, вымирание; распад, увядание

Influence — влияние, действие, воздействие (на кого-л./ что-л. — on, upon, over, with); влиятельность

to concern — касаться, относиться; описывать, говорить (в произведении); затрагивать, вовлекать

defense — оборона

to headquarter — устраивать штаб, штаб-квартиру где-л.

current — текущий, данный, современный; популярный, широко распространенный

to initiate — вводить в должность; начать, приступать, положить начало

to share — делить, распределять; разделять; делиться; разделять (smth. with smb. — с кем-л. что-л.); использовать совместно

coup — удачный ход; удача в делах

constituent — образующий, слагающий, составляющий (часть целого); правомочный, наделенный властью; законодательный; компонент, компонента, составная часть

to ratify — ратифицировать; одобрять, санкционировать; утверждать; скреплять (подписью, печатью)

to refuse — отвергать, отказывать; отклонять; отказываться

sovereign — суверенный, независимый; великолепный, отличный, превосходный, прекрасный

to abolish — аннулировать, отменять, упразднять, объявлять недействительным; разрушать, разбивать, уничтожать

to join — соединять, объединять, связывать, скреплять; соединяться, объединяться

controversial — спорный, сомнительный, поставленный под сомнение; вызывающий спор; дискуссионный

circumstance — обстоятельство; случай; условие; мн. ч. обстоятельства, условия

to overthrow (прош. вр. — overthrew; прич. прош. вр. — ovethrown) — бросать слишком далеко, перебрасывать; свергать; побеждать; низвергать, уничтожать

stance — позиция, установка; положение

to contrast — противополагать, противопоставлять (with); сопоставлять, сравнивать (with); контрастировать (with); противоречить, расходиться

predecessor — предшественник

relationship — отношение, взаимоотношение; взаимосвязь, касательство, связь (between; to, towards; with)

worth — цена, стоимость, ценность

to downgrade — переводить в низшую категорию; понижать; понижать в должности; снижать разряд

Commonwealth of Independent States

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a confederation, or alliance, created by Russia, Ukraine and Belorussia.

Up to 2005 it consisted of 11 former Soviet Republics: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Turkmenistan discontinued permanent membership as of August 26,2005 and is now an associate member.

The creation of CIS signaled the dissolution of the Soviet Union and, according to leaders of Russia, its purpose was to allow a civilized divorce between the Soviet Republics. However, many observers have seen the CIS as a tool that would allow Russia to keep its influence over the post-Soviet states. Since its formation, the member-states of CIS have signed a large number of documents concerning integration and cooperation on matters of economics, defence and foreign policy. The CIS is headquartered in Minsk, Belarus. The chairman of the CIS is known as the executive secretary. All of the CIS's executive secretaries have been from Belarus or Russia. The current executive secretary is former Russian interior minister, Vladimir Rushailo.

Initiating the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the autumn of 1991, the leaders of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine met on December 8 in the Belovezhskaya Pushcha Natural Reserve, about 50 km north of Brest in Belarus, and signed an agreement establishing" the CIS. At the same time they announced that the new confederation would be open to all republics of the former Soviet Union, as well as other nations sharing the same goals.

Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev described this as an illegal and dangerous constitutional coup, but it soon became clear that the development could not be stopped and on December 21,1991, the leaders of 11 of the 15 constituent republics of the USSR met in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, and signed the charter, thus de facto ratifying the initial CIS treaty. The Soviet government had already recognized the independence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on September 6,1991, and the three Baltic nations as well as Georgia refused to join CIS. The CIS charter stated that all the members were sovereign and independent nations and thereby effectively abolished the USSR.

The 11 original member-states were Armenia, Azerbaijan,* Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. In December 1993, Georgia also joined the CIS under somewhat controversial circumstances, following a civil war.

Between 2003 and 2005, the so called «colour revolutions» have been taking place in three CIS member states — Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan. The official slogan of these revolutions was the democratization of the society. The new government and political leaders of these countries has taken a clearly pro-Western stance contrasted to their predecessors. And now we can see that Ukraine, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan are quietly drifting away from the CIS.

In that time frame a number of statements have been made by member state officials, casting doubt on the potential and continued worth of the CIS.

Содружество Независимых Государств (СНГ)

Содружество Независимых Государств (СНГ) — это конфедерация, или межгосударственное объединение, образованное Белоруссией, Россией и Украиной.

До 2005 года оно состояло из 11 бывших республик Советского Союза: Армении, Азербайджана, Белоруссии, Грузии, Казахстана, Киргизстана, Молдовы, России, Таджикистана, Украины и Узбекистана. Туркменистан прекратил постоянное членство 26 августа 2005 года и сейчас является ассоциированным членом организации.

Создание СНГ ознаменовало распад Советского Союза и по словам лидеров России, это было сделано для «цивилизованного развода» между республиками Советского Союза. Тем не менее, многие наблюдатели сходятся во мнение, что СНГ стало инструментом, который позволил России влиять на постсоветские государства. С момента своего создания страны, входящие в СНГ, подписали огромное количество документов относительно интеграции и сотрудничества в сфере экономики, обороны и внешней политики. Штаб-квартира СНГ находится в Минске, Белоруссия. Председателем СНГ является исполнительный секретарь. Все исполнительные секретари СНГ были из Белоруссии и России. Нынешний исполнительный секретарь СНГ — это бывший российский министр Владимир Рушайло.

Осенью 1991 года начал распадаться Советский Союз, и руководители России, Белоруссии и Украины встретились в заповеднике Беловежская Пуща 8 декабря 1991 года, что в 50 километрах на север от г. Бреста, Белоруссия, и подписали соглашение о создании СНГ. В то же самое время они объявили, что новая конфедерация (объединение) открыта для всех бывших республик Советского Союза, а также и для других наций, которые разделяют схожие цели.

Президент Советского Союза Михаил Горбачев описал все это как нелегальный и опасный, но удачный конституционный ход, но вскоре стало ясно, что остановить ничего уже нельзя и 21 декабря 1991 года лидеры 11 из 15 советских республик встретились в Алма-Ате, Казахстан, и подписали хартию о созданию СНГ, таким образом де-факто ратифицировав первоначальное соглашение о создании СНГ. Советское правительство 6 сентября 1991 года уже признало независимость Эстонии, Латвии и Литвы и три Прибалтийских государства, а также Грузия отказались присоединиться к СНГ. Меморандум о создании СНГ гласил, что все члены объединения являются суверенными и независимыми государствами, что окончательно разрушило СССР.

Одиннадцатью первоначальными членами СНГ были: Армения, Азербайджан, Белоруссия, Казахстан, Киргизстан, Молдова, Россия, Таджикистан, Туркменистан, Украина и Узбекистан. В1993 году к СНГ присоединилась Грузия при противоречивых обстоятельствах сразу после гражданской войны.

С 2003-2005 в трех государствах СНГ — Грузии, Украине и Кыргызстане — произошли так называемые « цветные революции». Официальным лозунгом этих революций была демократизация общества. Новые правительства и политические лидеры этих стран заняли четкую прозападную позицию, отличную от их предшественников, и сегодня мы наблюдаем, как Украина, Грузия и Кыргистан медленно отдаляются от СНГ.

В этот период времени было сделано несколько заявлений официальными представителями стран — членов СНГ, что бросило тень сомнения на возможное продолжение существование СНГ.

Questions:

1. What is the CIS? 2. What countries were the founders of the CIS? 3. What countries are in the CIS at the moment? 4. When did Turkmenistan discontinue its permanent membership in the CIS? 5. What was the signal of the creation of CIS? 6. How did Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev describe the creation of the CIS? 7. What were the main purposes of the CIS creation? 8. What leaderships of three CIS member states were overthrown in a series of «colour revolutions» ? 9. When did Turkmenistan downgrade its CIS status to an as-. sociate member? 10. When was the dissolution of the Soviet Union initiated? 11. When was the initial CIS treaty ratified? 12. When did the Soviet government recognize the independence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania? 13. Were Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania the members of the CIS? 14. When did Georgia enter the CIS?

Ukraine

Ukraine is a rich agricultural, industrial and mining region in south-eastern Europe.

It is an independent democratic state. Its population is about 52 mln people. The capital of Ukraine is Kiev. Ukraine has its own armed forces, and maintains its own diplomatic relations with foreign countries. Ukraine covers about 603.700 sq. km being larger than any country in Western Europe. From east to west Ukraine stretches for more than 1300 km and from north to south for almost 900 km. It borders with Belarus and Russia on the north and on the east. In the south it is bounded by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. In the west Ukraine is bounded by Moldova, Rumania, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland. Ukraine is located in ideal geographical position for the development of its resources, lying between 440 and 520 latitude north, on the same latitude as the USA or Britain.

The climate is mild and warm, with a long summer and a short winter. Together with its fertile black soil, this makes it ideal for the development of intensive agriculture. The main part of Ukraine is located in the watershed of the Dnieper-River, which divides Ukraine into two parts: Right-Bank and Left-Bank Ukraine. Ukraine's proximity to the Black Sea and the presence of large navigable rivers running through its territory has promoted the development of trade and culture.

The Black Sea is not only a means of communication with Transcaucasia and Turkey but also with the rest of the world through the Mediterranean Sea. Ukraine also lies on the Danube, and this gives it access to European countries. Through the Siversky Donets it has access to the Don. The territory of Ukraine is criss-crossed by railroads and highways, oil and gas pipelines and high-voltage transmission lines - all of which ensure close economic ties with Eastern and Western Europe. Ukraine is a highly industrialised country, whose economic potential is great.

Ukrainian Places of Interest

Ukraine is a country with the glorious past. It is rich in historical monuments and different places of interest. Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine and one of the oldest cities in the Eastern Europe. It has already celebrated its 1500th anniversary. That’s why it is not surprising that a lot of interesting monuments are situated there, for example, the well-known to all Slavonic world St Sophia’s Cathedral and Kyivo-Pecherska Lavra. It is breathtaking to wander along the streets of the old town, to feel the breath of history.

But Ukrainian places of interest are situated not only in Kyiv. Near the small town of Kanev the monument to the Ukrainian national genius Taras Shevchenko is situated. The museum, where the books, drawings and manuscripts of Shevchenko are kept, is situated in the village not far from Kanev. Even the house, where he was born, is preserved. It is very interesting to look at it. One may come to Poltava and visit the museum of the famous Poltava battle, the field where Peter the Great defeated the Swedes.

One may also go to Zaporizhia, to the island of Khortytsia, where the Ukrainian Cossacks’ organization was born. One can go to Odesa and walk along the boulevards, where Pushkin walked a long time ago, and one can touch the trees, which Pushkin touched. It is also possible to visit the last house of Chekhov (now the museum in Yalta), where Chekhov lived, and where he wrote his last works, and where he died. One may visit the famous symbol of the Crimea — the castle “Swallow’s Nest” or the residence of Russian tsars.

It is possible to go through Gogol places in the Poltava Region and see Dickanka, Sorochintsy. One can continue this list, because there is also Western Ukraine with the Carpathians and their legends, feudal lords’ castles and cathedrals, with their unique culture and nature. There are a lot of places to see in Ukraine and to be proud of. And I am glad to live in such a country, with all those beautiful monuments.

Kiev

Kiev is the capital of our country. It is the largest city in the Ukraine. More than three million people live there. Kiev was founded more than 1500 years ago. It is the political, economic, industrial and cultural centre of our country. There are many factories in Kiev. They make different products. In Kiev there are many museums, monuments, theatres, cinemas, libraries and palaces. Thousands of students study at Kiev-Mohila academy, at Kiev University, many institutes and colleges. Kiev is a large transport centre. Kiev metro is very beautiful. Kiev is situated on the banks of the river Dnieper. The city is very green. It is one of the most beautiful cities of Ukraine. Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada, president and government are located in Kiev. Ambassadors of many countries live in the capital of Ukraine too. We are proud that our capital is one of the best and oldest cities in the world. Khreschatyk is the main street in Kiev. It is not very long, but it is wide and straight. You can see many cars and trolley buses on Khreschatyk. There are many big green trees in it. A lot of people go to Khreschatyk every day. Some of them go shopping because there are many good shops and big market there. Other people go to the cinema, look at the fountains or sit on the benches. In the evening many people walk in Khreschatyk. There you can see many bright lights. People like the main street of Kiev because it is nice and green.

Zaporozhye: The city in which I live

My native city is the city of Zaporozhye. It is very dear to me, because I was born here. Zaporozhye is situated in the south of Ukraine. It's territory stretches for about 50 square kilometres. The city is divided by the river Dnieper into two parts. The population of Zaporozhye is approximately 900 thousand people. Our city is 225 years old. Originally it was a town of Alexandrovsk. But when the Dnieper Hydroelectric Power Station, or the Dneproges, was built here it was renamed. And since that time the Dneproges was one of the places of interest of our city. By the way, there are not so many places of interest in Zaporozhye. But if you want to go sightseeing around the city I advise you to visit the Historical Museum on the island of Chortitsa and the Museum of Local Lore, you'll enjoy splendid sights of the Dnieper-river and of Nature reserve on the Chortitsa island, you will be impressed by the ancient oak tree which is 800 years old. They say that the Zaporozhye Cossacks used to rest under its branches. If you make a tour about the city, you'll see that its streets are long and beautiful. The main street of the city the Lenin Avenue stretches for about 15 kilometres. Zaporozhye is an industrial centre. It is famous for its steel-making plants and factories, such as Zaporozhstal, Dnieprospetstal, and other.

There are two universities, three academies and a great number of colleges in Zaporozhye. We have here a drama theatre, the theatre of young spectator and a circus. There are many cinemas, restaurants and cafes in Zaporozhye.

The Zaporozhye district has its history. In the 17 century the Zaporozhye Cossacks lived on the territory of our district. The Cossacks were freedom-loving people who defended the boundaries of Russia. Their camp was situated on the island of Chortitsa and it was called Zaporozhskaya Sech. The Cossacks were very skillful warriors.

Odessa

Odessa is the Black Sea gateway to Ukraine. It is the country’s largest commercial Black Sea port and a large industrial city.

Odessa is a crossroads of cultures, languages and trade. Pushkin lived here in exile during the 1820s, and also it was home to writer and film director Alexander Dovzhenko.

The site of Odessa was controlled from 1526 to 1789 by the Ottoman Turks. In the 18th century Russia took this region and constructed a new port at Odessa. It was named after the ancient Greek colony Odessos. By the 1880s it was the second biggest Russian port and an important industrial city. Odessa was a hotbed of the 1905 revolution.

The beauty of Odessa is in Prymorsky boulevard with its beautiful buildings and the Potemkin Steps. Film director Eisenstein used Potemkin Steps in his film “Battleship Potemkin”. The 193 steps, built between 1827 and 1841, descend from the statue of Duc de Richelieu. At the eastern end of Prymorsky boulevard Pushkin statue and a British cannon from the Crimean War stand in front of the Odessa City Hall.

Several of the city’s fine museums are the Museum of Maritime History, the Literature Museum, the Pushkin Museum, the Museum of Western and Oriental Art and others. The Archaeology Museum is the first museum of this kind in the former Russian Empire. Its Gold Room has jewellery and coins from early Black Sea civilizations, including the first Slavic coins of St Volodymyr with the trident symbol on them.

Odessa is famous for its beaches. The southern beaches are less crowded and more picturesque than the northern ones. The Arkadia area is the most popular and has lots of restaurants and activities.

Zhytomyr

Zhytomyr is a historic city in the North of the western half of Ukraine. It is the administrative center of the Zhytomyr Oblast. Zhytomyr is a major transportation hub. The city lies on a historic route linking the city of Kiev with the west through Brest. Today it links Warsaw with Kiev, Minsk with Izmail, and several major cities of Ukraine.

Important economic activities of Zhytomyr include lumber milling, food processing, granite quarrying, metalworking, and the manufacture of musical instruments.

Zhytomyr Oblast is the main center of the Polish minority in Ukraine, and in the city itself there is a large Roman-Catholic Polish cemetery, founded in 1800. It is regarded as the third biggest Polish cemetery beyond borders of Poland, behind the Lychakivskiy Cemetery in Lviv and Rossa Cemetery in Vilnius.

Zhytomyr lies in a unique natural setting; all sides of the city are surrounded by ancient forests through which flow the Teteriv, Kamianka, Kroshenka and Putiatynka rivers.

The city is rich in parks and public squares. Zhytomyr is set out on a mostly radial type of street net with the centre at the main public square of the city. The best-known street in the central part of Zhytomyr is Mykhailivska (named after St. Michael's Church located at the northern end of the street). Mykhailivska Street is for pedestrian traffic: vehicles are forbidden. The best-known park of Zhytomyr is named after Yuri Gagarin, located in the south of the city, at the left (northern) bank of the Teteriv river.

Work in pairs. Discuss the issues.

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student B)

1)	What do you know about Ukraine?
2)	What are your impressions of Ukraine?
3)	How important is Ukraine compared with other nations?
4)	What is Ukraine most commonly in the news for?
5)	Why is Ukraine so good at agriculture and hospitality tourism?
6)	Is Ukraine a convenient and safe country in which to live?
7)	Would you like to go to the Ukrainian fair?
8)	What do you know of Ukrainian politics?
9)	Who is the most famous Ukrainian?
10)	How do you think Ukrainians would describe their country?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show to Student A)

1)	What has Ukraine given the world?
2)	What are the first three things that come to mind when you hear the country Ukraine?
3)	What role does Ukraine play in Europe?
4)	What are relations like between your country and Ukraine?
5)	Should Ukraine have a permanent seat on the European Union?
6)	What social problems does Ukraine have?
7)	What would you like to do in Ukraine on a three-week holiday?
8)	What do you think life is like in Ukraine?
9)	What is your image of the typical Ukrainian?

The Republic of Belarus

The republic of Belarus is a small beautiful country with heroic past and difficult present.

It is situated in Central Europe. The republic of Belarus borders on Russia, the Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. It has an area of 207,600 square kilometers and population of more than 10 million. 77% of the population constitutes Belarussians. 64% live in cities, the largest of which is Minsk, which is the capital, Gomel, Mogilev, Brest, Grodno and Vitebsk.

The original Belarussian tribes were Eastern Slavic tribes. Kryvichy, Drigovichi, Radzimichi, Lucichy and Sievieranie were related to the Baltic nations and grouped independent principalities, of which the most powerful was Polotsk, a port and a fortress on the river Dvina, which flows into the Baltic Sea. At the beginning of the 20th century Belarus was a backward province of the Russian Empire, called the North-Western Region. About 80% of its population was illiterate. The Belarussians weren't even regarded as a nation at that time. After the revolution in 1917 Belarus was proclaimed the Belarussian Soviet Socialist Republic and soon became the member of the USSR.

Most of Belarus is a flat country. More than a quarter of its area is covered with forests and bushes. Large forests are called "puschas". The greatestof them is Beloviezskaya Puscha, which is a state preserve. It is well known by its rare animals - aurochs. There are nearly 10000 lakes and 20000 rivers in Belarus. The largest lake is Naroch also called the Belarussian Sea. The great part of the country lies in the Dnieper basin and the rest is watered by the Western Bug, the Neman and the Western Dvina. The Belarussian rivers are slow with almost no rapids. The climate in Belarus is moderately continental. The breathing of the Baltic Sea is constantly felt here.

The beauty of the Belarussian nature, the past and the present of the Belarussian people have been celebrated in songs and verses by the Yanka Kupala and Yakub Kolas - the classics of Belarussian poetry and by many present-day poets and writers, artists and composers of Belarus. Belarus has long been famous for its industries and skilful craftsmen: engravers and wavers, specialists in ceramic and craftsmen enjoy wide popularity at internal fairs and exhibitions. Unique souvenirs made by Belarussian craftsmen are known all over the world.

Our Republic is rather rich in mineral resources: potash salts, coal, phosphates oil and iron. That's why Belarus has a highly-developed industry. There are thousands of enterprises in the Republic which produce tractors and automobiles, motor-cycles, TV-sets and many other goods. Our Belarussian tractors and MAZ trucks enjoy a high reputation both in our country and abroad. Agriculture specializes in milk and meat production. The main crops cultivated here are potatoes, flor, grain, herbs and vegetables. Belarus is a republic of well developed science and culture. There is an Academy of Sciences, 37 higher educational establishments, about 400 professional schools, Secondary education in compulsory here.