Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: michael97123 who wrote (87021)	3/27/2003 2:59:37 PM
From: E.J. Neitz Jr	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

>>I cant really figure out the reasons behind their policy(Russia)<<< Putin, the Russian President is a very smart and skillfully devious. He was the head of the Soviet Union's KGB for a period of time. To improve the Russian economy he re-built the country's oil infrastructure and is supporting the rebuilding of Russia based on oil revenue. That said, I suspect two things. Over the past few years they have had a pretty close relationship with Iraq. It is suspected that Russia and Russian companies have supplied Iraq with WMD components. He also liked the UN sanction on Iraq that limited Iraq's oil output, hence world supply. This supply cap also caps the floor price of crude. He is afraid that the US coalition will open up the Iraqi oil fields to produce significantly more oil than they were allowed to produce under the sanctions. The Oil reserve of Iraq = or exceeds the reserve of Saudi Arabia. Putin probably also fears that when the US and British find WMD, the Russian components will be seen by the world. France and Germany have also provided components to Iraq...hence their alliance with Russia along with the large muslim population in both France and Germany. Just some of the possible reasons...but cover the main points.

To: michael97123 who wrote (87021)	3/27/2003 5:18:50 PM
From: Jacob Snyder	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 281500

re Russian policy: Their opposition in Serbia was a holdover from the Cold War, and more ancient interests. The Russians have been supporting Serbia against other Empires, ever since the Austrians and Ottomans were playing tug-of-war there. I thought the aid given to us by Russia in Afghanistan, was the start of a wonderful relationship. And I'm quite disappointed, it turned out to be a one-night stand. If the Russians aren't a charter member of the Coalition Of The Willing, nobody is. They are in trouble, fighting a series of endless guerrilla wars along their southern frontier, from the Pamirs to the Caucusus Mountains. They face the same enemy, and the threat is, literally, much closer to home. So why did they say they'd veto our SC resolution? Reasons: 1. they don't buy the connection between Iraq and Al Queda/Islamism/terrorists. 2. they see U.S. goals as unlimited. 3. more generally, they reject our unilateralism. It is truly amazing, that we have managed to lose a global PR campaign, against the likes of Saddam Hussain.