http://www.nandotimes.com/noframes/story/0,2107,500155058-500191499-500819992-0,00.html

Russian intensifies bombing in Chechnya; oil depot burns

Copyright ) 2000 Nando Media Copyright ) 2000 Associated Press

From Time to Time: Nando's in-depth look at the 20th century

By RUSLAN MUSAYEV

GROZNY, Russia (January 15, 2000 5:39 p.m. EST http://www.nandotimes.com) - Black smoke filled the sky as Russian bombs and artillery rained down on the Chechen capital with renewed intensity Saturday, setting an oil depot ablaze.

Both sides claimed to be inflicting heavy losses in the protracted fight for the capital, Grozny. Russian soldiers attacked the city with mortar fire, and heavy fighting was reported at a meat canning factory and in other parts of the city.

Russia's acting president, Vladimir Putin, insisted the offensive was going according to plan, despite rebel attacks last week that set back the Russian campaign.

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 15, 2000

Answers

Good post Hokie.

First Putin suggests, then implements a lowering of the nuclear release threshold. Second, regardless of whether or not it's "electioneering" he continues his anti-US/anti-Western democracies rhetoric, effectively teaching the Russian people who the enemy is.

THEN he redefines what a threat to the national security of Russia is by saying that attempts by the US to "dominate international affairs" amount to such...

THIS IS A SET-UP.

The intent may not be to destroy the US. It may be an attempt, in co- operation with China and smaller communist/rogue states, to effect a "global balance of power" that gives Moscow and Beijing much more regional power and global influence...making the spread of communism easier.

OR IT MAY ACTUALLY BE A PRELIMINARY MOVE TO A PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE.

In either event, it is wise to stay alert, informed and prepared.

Thanks again Hokie!

THE BOSTON GLOBE: New Russian policy allows first strike - Frustrated with Russia's declining role in the world, Acting President Vladimir V. Putin yesterday proclaimed a new security doctrine that would allow the Kremlin to make the first nuclear strike in a conflict. In contrast to US guidelines, the Soviet Union's official policy had long renounced any so-called ''first use'' of nuclear weapons. Subsequently, Russia also said it would not use nuclear weapons except to protect its sovereignty. In a reflection of Moscow's increasingly belligerent mood and its souring relations with the West, the new document also said attempts by the United States to dominate international affairs are a threat to Russia's national security.

-- (Kurt.Borzel@gems8.gov.bc.ca), January 15, 2000.

Kurt and Hokie - good posts.

THIS IS ALL ABOUT OIL

Chechnya - OIL

Israel - OIL

The Russians are very pally with Syria/Iran/Iraq - OIL

The USA ***USED*** to be very pally with Saudi Arabia - OIL

According to the Downstremer posts, this has now changed. the USA has pissed off the total Muslim world, and they control OIL...

It would not surprise me that there is a plan underway to attack the US dollar, and bubble.com, with the raising of the price of OIL...

I don't know how, I do know why, I'm still trying to figure this all out...

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), January 15, 2000.

Andy:

The good news is you don't need proof-positive of an event, or even intent to do anything (regarding Putin) before you decide to "do something about this problem".

What we all need is balanced information, wisdom, and timely warning (or advice for your polly types) of what COULD happen in order to give us all the motivation we need to do whatever is necessary to take care of our families.

I am glad I can find such necessities here.

-- (Kurt.Borzel@gems8.gov.bc.ca), January 15, 2000.

Hokie and Andy:

I forgot something...

What am I missing here? Why all the sabre-rattling over oil? I have alot of thoughts but--like you Andy--I'm having trouble putting the information pieces into their proper place in order to see the "big picture"

1. Why is Iran so strategically important to Russia?

2. Why is everyone willing to creep so close to the threshold of war over a supposedly abundant commodity (oil)?

3. Why do I drink so much coffee?

Your thoughts would be welcome!

-- (Kurt.Borzel@gems8.gov.bc.ca), January 15, 2000.

Good comments, Kurt. Go back to the college poli (not polly) sci textbooks about the balance of power. Some things never change. If you read the thread about whether or not TEOTWAWKI has already happened, its not too hard to put the pieces together. damn

Never been a survivalist, but we are certainly in interesting times.

-- Nancy (wellsnl@hotmail.com), January 16, 2000.

Kurt,

1. I remember hearing in the 80's Soviet attempts to gain access to a warm water port....don't know if that is still a motivator for their southern aggressions/allies.

2. There's more at stake than just oil.

3. LOL, $4.99 for a big old can of Folgers? Heck, why not drink gallons?

-- Hokie (Hokie_@hotmail.com), January 16, 2000.

Hokie and all:

I'm not sitting near a world atlas. I've got a thought bouncing around in my head but I can't grab it yet--I need some geographical info...

I'm going to try to get some continuity of info re: Putin since December, and I'll try to page you guys tomorrow. Is that addy of yours real?

Folger's! Beneath my dignity... LOL!

I'm off, have a good night!

-- (Kurt.Borzel@gems8.gov.bc.ca), January 16, 2000.

Kurt,

The Russians have been trying to get access to a warm water port for about 400 years :-)

Of course, they have had plenty of warm water ports, they just need one where the Turks don't control ingress-egress. Or one that doesn't end in a dead-end (like the Caspian :-).

The idea of the Russians and Chinese getting together to "spread communism" is fairly silly. I don't think either particularly cares.

They may cooperate or form short-term tactical alliances for particular ends, but there are a wide variety of factors that make it really hard for them to keep it together...they couldn't maintain an alliance without degenerating into open fairly large-scale border warfare (in the 60s) and THAT was when they both fanatically had the same ideology, which neither really does now. Fail to see how it would be any easier these days.

-- John H Krempasky (johnk@dmv.com), January 16, 2000.

Richard sells a very good newsletter, but he also puts a great deal of free information on his webpage.
Link

Make a strong pot of coffee and try some of his articles.
A lot of good maps and charts there too...

-- Possible Impact (posim@hotmail.com), January 16, 2000.

There is alot of oil in Alaska.

Vladimir (whatever his last name is) you know the Pat Buchanan of the Duma was demanding we give Alaska back not too long ago.

-- Johnny (jljtm@bellsouth.net), January 16, 2000.

OT, Russians set Chechnya oil depot afire (anyone still doubt the Russians are there for the oil fields?)

Typical, Hokie mindlessness.

Russian speaking, "Dah, we go to Chechnya to bomb the oil fields so we can spend years rebuilding the infrastructure before we can pump oil again."

Hokie's foot and mouth have a love/hate relationship.

-- Guy Daley (guydaley@bwn.net), January 16, 2000.

Amen to Richard Maybury site....veeerrry interesting.

-- Laurane (familyties@rttinc.com), January 16, 2000.

John:

Typical response from you.

Attempt to refute an argument by SOUNDING educated while actually exposing your ignorance for the world to see...

Try learning something about communism before pontificating-for-the- sake-of-hearing-your-own-voice.

-- (Kurt.Borzel@gems8.gov.bc.ca), January 16, 2000.