Russian bomber on routine training flight, diplomat tells MPs

Russian bomber on routine training flight, diplomat tells MPs

www.cbc.ca

The Canadian government reacted with Cold War rhetoric to a routine bomber training flight in the high Arctic that mirrors similar runs by NATO aircraft near Russian airspace, a Russian diplomat said.

"You know, the Cold War has been over [for] many years," Dmitry Trofimov, the head of the Russian Embassy's political section in Ottawa, told the House of Commons defence committee Monday.

"But regretfully, a Cold War mentality is still there, which is deplorable."

At issue was a Feb. 18 flight by two Russian Tupolev 95 bombers that turned away from Alaska and the Yukon about 200 kilometres from Canadian and American airspace.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Is it a return of the cold war between NATO and Russia ?

Is this related to the dispute about control of the artic and it's resources?

Can this training flight be for something else ?

Should Russia call Canadian authorities before such an exercice ?

During the cold war, interception of russian planes over the artic was common place. But this new exercice was taking place on the day Obama was in Ottawa for a visit, where they testing NORAD air defence ?

www.cbc.ca
(visit the link for the full news article)

This is a return to tried and true fear-mongering is what it is.

200 kilometres outside Canadian borders is not within Canadian airspace by any stretch of the imagination.

The Russian bombers were free as any one else to use that airspace legitimately for peaceful purposes, which they did.

You'll never hear in the mainstream media of how American submarines and destroyers routinely cross Iranian territorial waters in the Straight of Hormuz, unless the Iranians send a response party telling them to back off.

Or how Canada is violating America's national sovereignty by allowing people to illegally cross the American border without any border checks or proper permits.
(6% of all illegal immigrant to the US come from Canada)

No, but it when it concerns our old, Cold War rival, nothing short of Nuclear Alarm bells are set off in Washington, even for something as trivial as a Russian bomber flying 200km away from Canada.

Mark my words, it'll get to the point where if Russia tests a new pair of field binoculars, Washington is going be reaching for the big, red button.

[edit on 24/3/09 by The Godfather of Conspira]