HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- Friday, January 04, 2002 2:16 PM
IRAQ IS THE NEXT TARGET.
The Russian leadership will possibly have to swallow another US pill Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, December 27, 2001, pp. 1, 6 The Russian leadership is facing a very difficult choice - either to confirm its pro-West orientation and remain in the international coalition created by Washington, or to try to defend Iraq, its old partner, from Washington's attacks. Judging from the latest statements by US politicians in the media, precisely Iraq is the next target in the current anti-terrorist campaign. This choice is very difficult for Russia because an armed conflict between India and Pakistan is underway. In this regard, it should be remembered that Moscow and Delhi signed an agreement on friendship and cooperation, though this agreement does not stipulate that Russia will support India in armed conflicts. Russian connivance in Washington's action against Iraq may lead to the revision of relationships with Delhi and Beijing which may consider Moscow as an unreliable partner and ally. Evidence of Baghdad's guilt is indirect, and to all appearances Washington will share it with the international community after the start of a military action against Iraq. It is not ruled out that the US will obtain evidence after the start of the operation, as happened with Bin Laden's video confession, which many experts consider a fake. Victor Kremenyuk, Deputy Director of the Institute for the US and Canada: "The possibility that the US will strike Iraq is very high. The momentum of the victory in Afghanistan will encourage Washington to square accounts with other countries. Another success will turn the US into a master in that region. "To what will a new war lead? First and foremost, the Islamic fundamentalists will consolidate their position. They will see signs of a more aggressive fight against Arab and Islamic nationalism. In addition, a war against Iraq will raise the question of when Arabs will use retribution weapons against the US. There are many groups similar to Al-Qaida in the Arab world. Many "sleeping agents" of such groups live in Western countries, including the US. The anti-Iraq action may become the last straw which will provoke another strike by the Islamic extremists against the US or some other Western country. It is absolutely impossible to predict what forces and weapons they will use." Sergei Luzyanin, Doctor of Historical Science: "Beijing's reaction to Washington's possible action in Iraq will be very negative and rather strict. As a matter of fact, China maintains close political and economic relations with Baghdad. It should be noted that despite all changes of political weather in the world, China never betrays old friends and partners, even if leading Western countries do not like them. "It is clear that Beijing will not venture to spoil relations with the US, because China is interested in their development. However, Beijing will surely express its discontent, because Washington feels too free in a region which China considers as a zone of interest for itself. I mean Central Asia." (c) 2002 WPS Agency. All Rights Reserved. WPS Russian Media Monitoring Agency. Kholodilny Per. 1, Moscow, 113191, Russia [EMAIL PROTECTED], http://www.wps.ru: phone: 7-095-955-2950; fax: 7-095-955-2927. Source: DEFENCE & SECURITY 04/01/2002 ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================ |
