US alarmed by Moscow’s plans to send warships to Gulf

top.rbc.ru ^ | 1-10-2003

[mjp]

Russia’s intention to send three warships to the Persian Gulf in the event of an American invasion of Iraq will strain relations between Moscow and Washington, the Guardian newspaper reports. Both Russia and the United States have interests in Iraq's oilfields, it is stressed in the article, and Russia’s presence in the region cannot but alarm the US.

Media reports have appeared recently that the Russian authorities are considering the possibility of sending two cruisers and a fuel tanker to the Gulf within the next month to protect the country’s "national interests". According to some reports, the warships will be armed with missiles and reconnaissance equipment.

In the opinion of the Guardian’s analysts, the defense of "national interests" may also refer to the Russian military's desire to conduct surveillance on both sides during any conflict.

Meanwhile, it became known that UN weapons inspectors expect to receive concrete evidence that Iraq has destroyed its entire arsenal of biological and chemical weapons. In addition, Baghdad is expected to provide inspectors with the possibility to question Iraqi scientists who were involved in developing the country’s weapons programs, diplomatic sources said.

[flynhghr]

Another "Cold War" in the making?

[Iwentsouth]

Do not see what is wrong with this.

If the US can have ships there why not Russia?

Russia is even closer.

[pepsionice]

Based on the Russian navy capability, the US doesn't want to have to tow their warships around when they break. The sailors on board will be starving within six weeks, and potential of a vessel accidentally sinking is better than 10 percent. If the Russians were to claim to be there helping...it would be funny headlines...'Russian Crusier Sinks'.

[AntiGuv]

I'm guessing they simply want to spy on the conduct of U.S. military operations.

[AntiGuv]

I'm guessing they simply want to spy on the conduct of U.S. military operations.

[Ken H]

This is The Guardian saying that the US is alarmed and that it will strain US/Russian relations.

I think it's bs.

[dasboot]

This piece isn't even reasonably good disinfo, and I think it reeks of desperation and pique. The "global press" (shilling for U.N. interests) has been pushed so far out of the U.S. loop--they take umbrage that they aren't recognized for their manifest importance--that they're making profoundly outragious assertions, to worry and embarass the plebes, in an effort to shake the real deal from the disobedient war-stormers in Washington--like "what do you know? and "when does it start?" Bush ain't playin' that game: kudos!

[roadcat]

It's all a ruse by gansters in Russia. A lot of people made money selling chunks of the Berlin wall. Now it's all gone.

When the dust settles from our war with Iraq (about 7 days total) then the U.S. and Russia carve out areas to control. The democrats in Congress will make sure we get the important part (Baghdad and it's hungry grateful citizens), while Russia gets the useless desert with the oil fields. Russia builds a wall around Baghdad to keep the Iraqis out of the oil fields, we start flying in food and supplies, and the Russian gangsters are happy again. (Now that's some bs.)

[AntiGuv]

I don't really see why this would be disinfo. I remember a little spat over a couple Russian cruisers in the Adriatic during the whole Kosovo operation. Much the same as here, they claimed to be "protecting their interests" but they were probably there for espionage purposes. Why shouldn't the Russians be interested in observing how the world's greatest military conducts its operations? Also, don't forget that little daring 1999 tank sprint into Yugoslavia on their part.

[dasboot]

Moreover, Bush and Putin are in lockstep on this action...all agreed upon things--including Chechnya, IMO. They both know, however, that appearances of friction should be kept up for the sake of Putin's domestic approval ratings: "Vlad goes his own way!" So the piece actually augments the ploy! The lib/commie global mouthpieces have been Bushwhacked! Strategery!

[TLBSHOW]

commies were never are friends

[oyez]

They are sending the Zippo and the Thermite.

[dasboot]

Are you saying Putin is a Commie?

He certainly worked for them, once; but I don't think he is one: at least not anymore.

I rather think he is the CP's "Most Wanted Dead or Dead".

[Balata]

Meanwhile, it became known that UN weapons inspectors expect to receive concrete evidence that Iraq has destroyed its entire arsenal of biological and chemical weapons.

This is certainly a tip off this article is bunk.

[dasboot]

That Russia is sending those ships, and more, is certain. Bush and Putin both know the necessity of good intel for keeping alliances: trust; verify.

The disinfo, or just plain sand-in-the-gears fluff, are the parts about the "strain" on relations; that the U.S. will be "alarmed"; that the bad Russian Navy ships will be carrying "missiles and recon" (and lions and tigers and bears...OH MY!); and that Blix is gonna announce that the whole thing is unnecessary. Bush knows where the stuff is; he ain't gonna show his hand until the very last second, else Saddam begin a strategic "scorched-earth" retaliation. IMHO

[Mo1]

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