Good on you, Russia ~!!!

Support Iran all the way ~!!!!

The world would like nothing better than to see Iran & Russia's
greatest enemy ~ Israel ~ squirm ~!!!!

http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/january2008/240108nuclear.htm

Russia flaunts its nuclear card

Linda S. Heard

Online Journal

Thursday January 24, 2008

There's a new Cold War brewing between Russia and the West but if you
get your news from the mainstream English-language media you'd be hard
pressed to guess the real temperature -- a little above freezing.

But even the BBC couldn't ignore Moscow's latest rhetoric. On Sunday,
under the headline "Russia warns of 'preventative' nuclear strike,"
the BBC quoted the Russian military's chief of staff.

"We do not intend to attack anyone, but we consider it necessary that
all our partners in the international community clearly understand
that for the defence of our sovereignty and the territorial integrity
of Russia and its allies, the armed forces will be employed, including
preventively the use of nuclear weapons," said General Yuri Bauyevsky.

It's a pretty broad threat with the reference to Russia's "allies"
open to interpretation. Does Moscow consider Iran in that category,
for instance?

Certainly the statement's timing indicates this may be the case as
also on Sunday Russia delivered an 11-tonne fuel consignment to Iran's
Bushehr nuclear power plant, the fourth in a series of eight
consignments to be completed by February.

Bauyevsky's warning comes on the heels of the US president's tour of
the region during which he tried -- and failed -- to whip up anti-
Iranian sentiment, while Israel cheered him on from the sidelines.

In truth, though, most commentators would say it was inconceivable
that Russia would go that far even to protect its not insubstantial
financial interests within Iran. But it's also true to say that Moscow
has rarely been as bellicose in recent times.

Indeed, the Russian leadership has abandoned the softly-softly
diplomatic approach to disagreements on a whole range of issues.

Last week, during a visit to Bulgaria, President Vladimir Putin warned
the West that its support of Kosovo's independence from Serbia would
be "illegal and immoral."

And while he was there, he sealed a gas pipeline deal as well as a
$5.9 billion contract to build a nuclear power plant in Belene on the
Danube; a plan described by its detractors as dangerous and
unnecessary.

Russia's tough talking may be paying off as the Polish government is
no longer as enthusiastic about playing host to a US missile defence
system as it once was.

That's hardly surprising as both it and the Czech Republic were warned
by the head of Russia's missile forces that if they go ahead, Russian
missiles will be pointed in their direction.

The US has insisted the European-based system will counter threats
from Iran and North Korea but the Russians aren't buying it. Moscow is
also angered about Georgia's intentions to join NATO, which would see
NATO encroaching on Russia's borders.

Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has proffered an olive branch
to Moscow and expressed a desire for greater ties. For the time being,
Russia is also extending the hand of friendship, probably in hopes it
can steer Georgia away from the clutches of NATO.

As for Moscow's relationship with Britain, this is at an all time low.
Cracks formed when Russia refused to extradite Andre Lugovoi, a
suspect wanted by Britain in connection with the poisoning of former
Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko. The UK responded to Russia's
refusal by expelling four Russian diplomats.

Tensions

Predictably Moscow did the same but later ratcheted up tensions by
ordering the closure of British Council branches by January 1. When
the deadline was ignored, Russia "initiated a campaign of
intimidation," according to the British Council's chief executive,
Martin Davidson.

This consisted of the council's Russian employees being called in for
questioning by Russian security services and tax enforcers; moves that
have provoked outrage from Britain and the EU.

"We saw similar actions during the Cold War but, frankly, we thought
they had been put behind us," said British Foreign Secretary David
Miliband while addressing Parliament.

The evidence is there for all to see. Russia is tired of playing
second fiddle to the US and is in no mood to take orders from Britain
or anyone else.

Putin has said he regrets the break-up of the former Soviet Union, and
is doing all he can to expand his country's sphere of influence. His
are no empty sentiments either.

Moscow's bark could well be a lot worse than its bite and perhaps we
shouldn't rush to take threats of preemptive nuclear strikes too
seriously. Nevertheless, when the pieces are fitted together there is
this clear message. Move aside Uncle Sam. There's another fast gun in
town.

HOOROO