Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan (2004):

Proved Oil Reserves = 589 million bbl as of January 2002
Proved Natural Gas Reserves = 849.5 billion m^3 as of January 2005

Electricity
Produced: 20.4 bb kWh
Consumed: 20.6 bb kWh
Shortage: 0.2 bb kWh
Exported: 510 mm kWh
Imported: 2.2 bb kWh
Deficit: 1.69 bb kWh

Oil
Produced: 470,000 bbl/day
Consumed: 120,000 bbl/day
Reserve: 350 bbl/day
Exported: N/A
Imported: N/A

Natural Gas
Produced: 5.01 bb m^3
Consumed: 9.94 bb m^3
Shortage: 4.93 bb m^3
Exported: N/A
Imported: 4.93 bb m^3
Deficit: 4.93 bb m^3

Facts from CIA World Factbook (Rounded to the nearest tenth):
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/aj.html

Georgia wants Freedom--is the pipeline the answer?

photo link: http://www.doubledogmusic.com/images/2005/AzPipeMap.gif

Reading "The New Great Game: Blood and Oil in Central Asia" by Lutz Kleveman, I am reminded that I live in a country--that to many foreigners represents hope. Some may scoff at such a statement--no doubt because of current politics, but I've been told by foreigners while traveling about the world, even by those who have immigrated here. Why? Because no human enjoys oppression, and the US stands for freedom. While traveling abroad, in 3rd world countries, I have felt helpless in my inability to ease the suffering of the many humans who are starving, unable to gain an education, or free themselves from the oppression of their corrupt governments. While corrupt and government don't belong in the same sentence, there is no avoiding the fact that EVERY government has some level of corruptness rotting within its internal structure--yes, that includes my government as well. When I originally started this project, I desired to keep it separate from US politics, but I find that impossible. I can only attempt to see things from all angles--and report things as I see them.

The third chapter, Stalin's Legacy: Georgia, starts with a undeniable statement--one of need and hope. Senior diplomat in the Georgian foreign ministry, Alexander Rondeli, states, "We need the big oil pipeline so that we will continue to have the United States on our side against Russia" (Kleveman 31). Later he speaks about the civil wars between Georgia and Armenia, "Moscow fomented and fanned the civil wars in order to bring back its troops to Georgia, as so-called peace keepers. . . . Today Moscow keeps sixteen thousand troops in our country. This is how the Russians keep fanning the conflicts in the South Caucasus which are useful to them" (Kleveman 33). He relates the US to Georgia's national security, "Are Americans going to stand on our side or look away? The pipeline could decide this question." (Kleveman 34). Russia's interest in Georgia is entirely based upon a natural resource--black gold--oil. While they were granted a freedom not necessarily desired when the USSR disintegrated, the small country feels repressed by the Russian troops. Their government, just as corrupt as the others in this area of the world, offers little reprieve. With their hands tied, they must sell the oil to Russia, for low prices, or the dissent is fanned between Georgia and Armenia--killing thousands in a war--masked as a civil war--it is truly about control, power, money, and oil. And the problem for Georgia, as with most other central Asian & Caucasus nation states, is moving the oil to the world market. Hence the desire for the big pipeline, from Baku, Azerbaijan to Ceyhan, Turkey. Passing by Georgia, this pipeline stretching over one thousand miles. One thousand miles.

Would this pipeline really offer a freedom from oppression? Another issue that must be faced in answering this question is corruption. Who owns the oil? Who will profit from it? Will the entire country, or simply the already wealthy. Will the lords of oil gain wealth unimaginable? This does not seem like it would release the country from oppression, buy simply change who the oppressor is. And is this something that US protection can prevent? I think that answer can be found in observance of the war in Iraq. Democracy can not be forced, nor can ethical conduct. It must come from within, it can be taught--but how? And on what time-line? 5 years? 10? 20? Which is the lesser evil? Oppression from within your country or from without? So my question is... will this pipeline really be a blessing? Or will it cause internal issues of a different nature? I did what I could to help those that I could while abroad, but it is not possible for one person to save everyone, nor is it possible for one government to solve the problems of all countries. So would the US simply be taking advantage of these needy countries by providing this monster pipeline? A pipeline created in the pretense of economic gain for all involved, but who will truly benefit? Hmmmmm.