Russian Troops in Ossetia Put on High Alert

... the Ukraine just kicked the black fleet out of its harbours?

Originally posted by Vis Major X

... the Ukraine just kicked the black fleet out of its harbours?

Goodbye Ukraine

Hello Syria





Russia may relocate Black Sea Fleet to Syrian port

12:31 | 02/ 06/ 2006


MOSCOW, June 2 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has started dredging at a Syrian port where it maintains a logistical supply point with a possible eye to turning it into a full-fledged naval base, a respected Russian business daily said Friday.

Tartus, the second most important Syrian port on the Mediterranean, could be transformed into a base for Black Sea Fleet warships when they are redeployed from the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol, Kommersant daily said, quoting sources in Russia's diplomatic service and the Defense Ministry.

Vladimir Zimin, a senior economic advisor at the Russian Embassy to Syria, said Russia had simultaneously launched a modernization project at the port of Latakia, 90 km to the north of Tartus.

en.rian.ru...





[edit on 15-7-2006 by Ivanova]

Originally posted by SportyMB
maloy, Where did you live in Russia? Ever been to Georgia?

I lived in St. Petersburg, Crimea (near Evpatoria), and Kranodar (Caucus). While in Krasnodar I have visited both Armenia, and Georgia (Abkhazia) on several occasions.

This race for new "territories" by the US is obviously seen as very threatening by Russia. China isn't too thrilled about it either. US is making more enemies than friends in the process. And if they make long term investments and possibly military outposts in Georgia and Azerbaijan, what is the guarantee than pro-US government will stay in power. I fear US will create another dictatorship regime in both nations-even worse than now- (like there is in Pakistan) to insure their investment isn't lost. This is mainly how Sakashvilli is screwing his own people.


As for Armenia- from what I know it has very good relations with Russia, so little chance for US interference there. Plus the BTC pipeline bypasses it completele. Armenia will likely stay under pro-Russian influence. But Georgia turning into another Turkey is not a good thing for anyone. US should focus on fighting its WOT before turning its attention to Russia. You make too many enemies, and then you are done for. Now US is looking to buildup Crimea, and possibly create navy bases there. Well Crimeans will react very very negatively to this, and might even go as far as pressing for separation from Ukraine. When US was holding its Sea Breeze exercises in Crimea, it did invite Russia to participate. Needless to say Russia declines- the exercises consisted of practicing landing of an invasion force in would was the Soviet Union. Crimeans weren't too thrilled either, effectively halting the exercises this year. What a great idea- let US exercise together with Ukraine, on how US would invade Ukraine. Brilliant. Now why do some Ukrainians support this farce again?


As was said, now Russia is playing its cards, improving relations with places like Iran, Syria, Venezuela. Syria is a very good strategic location because it gives Russia an excess to the Mediterranean, bypassing Turkey. In fact Russia has a very long stretching partnership with Syria dating back many decades. The bad part is that Syria does not border Russia, and is isolated from it by Turkey. Overall this BTC pipeline affair has trouble written all over it.

[edit on 15-7-2006 by maloy]

When everything unfolds, what do you think will happen? Who will be on both sides of the war? When will this conflict take place? What will China's role be in the conflict?

What does China have to do with any of this. These are all CIS countries we are talking about. South Ossetia and Abkhazia are strictly between Georgia and Russia, yet now US is also helping Georgia. The war, if and when it breaks out will officially be between Georgia and South Ossetia, with Russians acting as peace keepers and in a sense aiding Ossetia. Neither US, nor China should have anything to do with this conflict.