Posted on 08/26/2008 4:01:20 AM PDT by maquiladora
A top Russian general Tuesday questioned the "extreme level" of activity of NATO naval forces in the Black Sea, saying it could not be needed for the delivery of aid to Georgia or for routine naval exercises, AFP informed.
"We're bewildered at the extreme level of activity of NATO naval forces in the Black Sea, which continue to increase their numbers," General Anatoly Nogovitsyn told reporters at a briefing on the conflict.
"Only yesterday I said there were nine NATO ships in the sea and by evening another frigate of the US navy passed through the Bosphorus Straits.
"We have also learnt that another eight warships from NATO states are expected shortly.
"They talk about planned exercises and you can probably find some legitimacy in that but... it's very hard to believe that all the visits so far have been bringing only humanitarian aid," said Nogovitsyn.
"Nappies can be bought in any market in Georgia," he said.
Nogovitsyn went on to insist that Russia was complying with a French-brokered peace plan while Georgia's military was rearming.
"While Russia shows adherence to the achieved international agreement, Tbilisi continues to revive its armed forces," he said.
The comments came as the US navy destroyer USS McFaul carrying humanitarian aid was heading to the Georgian port city of Poti, where Russian forces have been deployed.
The United States has led Western calls for Russia to withdraw its forces from such advanced positions as the Poti port.
Hey general...maybe they’re there because they’re getting ready to pounce on Iran.
Obviously, a vodka induced haze is wearing off.
True evil always comes with audacity.
The audacity of invading a soverign country and then being more audacious in questioning the US naval presence in near the same area speaks volumes.
He knows that those 8 NATO warships never travel without some sort of air cover and those 8 ships, if confronted, can take down his entire Black Sea Fleet.
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