Russia threatens use of force

[Hotrod]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1203605152531&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FPrinter

Moscow's envoy to NATO warned Friday that Russia may have to rely on "brute military force" to earn respect on the world scene if all EU nations recognize Kosovo's independence and NATO oversteps its authority in Kosovo.

However, Dmitry Rogozin said Russia was not going to get involved in any armed confrontation over Kosovo.

He said some Western countries were ruining the entire system of international law by recognizing Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia.

"If the European Union works out a single position and NATO goes beyond its current mandate in Kosovo, these organizations will conflict with the United Nations," he said in a televised hookup from Brussels.

"And we, I think, will proceed from an assumption that to be respected, we have to use brute military force," Rogozin said.

[Hotrod]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/22/serbia.kosovo/index.html

(CNN) -- Kosovo's breakaway from Serbia provoked fresh unrest Friday as U.N. police were attacked by ethnic Serb demonstrators in northern Kosovo a day after angry demonstrations in the Serbian capital Belgrade left one person dead.


The Associated Press said protesters among a crowd of 5,000 trying to cross a key bridge in the divided city of Mitrovica, hurled empty bottles and stones at the police. It was initally thought that the police retaliated with canisters of tear gas but AP later said this was actually firecrackers fired by protesters.

The demonstrators were waving Serbian flags and chanting "Kosovo is ours!" on what was the fifth day of protests since Kosovo's ethnic Albanian leaders declared independence from Serbia on Sunday.

The latest incident follows violent outbreaks in Belgrade which culminated in an attack on the U.S. Embassy that left one person dead and dozens injured.

Also Friday, Russia -- which has not recognized Kosovo's sovereignty -- said it has not ruled out using force to resolve the dispute over the territory if NATO forces breach the terms of their U.N. mandate.

"If the EU works out a single position or if NATO steps beyond its mandate in Kosovo, these organizations will be in conflict with the U.N., and then I think we will also begin operating under the assumption that in order to be respected, one needs to use force," Moscow's ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said, in comments carried by Russia's Interfax news agency.

A spokesman for Russia's Foreign Ministry also warned that Kosovo's declaration would have a "negative impact."

[Bronco Jamus]

I think the world would be better off without the Serbs, but what can you do? Russia has always felt a kinship with the balkins so this isn't actually a surprise, but I don't think Russia can back up those words.

[Bronco Bob]

Russia is probably worried that if Kosovo makes a clean break, Chechnya is next.

[alkemical]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7249034.stm


Kosovo MPs proclaim independence

Kosovo's parliament has unanimously endorsed a declaration of independence from Serbia, in a historic session.

Celebrations went on into the night after Prime Minister Hashim Thaci promised a democracy that respected the rights of all ethnic communities.

Serbia's PM denounced the US for helping create a "false state".

A split later emerged at the Security Council, when Russia said there was no basis for changing a 1999 resolution which handed Kosovo to the UN.

Seven Western countries said it was quite clear the situation had moved on.

Tens of thousands of people had thronged the streets of Kosovo's capital, Pristina, since the morning.

[Rohirrim]

Hey, Serbia kicked off WWI. Let's go! Burn, baby, burn. The world is bored. You can just sense it. What we need is a world wide conflagration. We can suck China into it. Maybe India and the Pakis can trade nukes. Israel can go off on Iran, Syria and everybody else in the region. Think of the great art that will come out of it. We can reduce the world's population by half and we won't have to worry about global warming anymore. Armageddon, baby!

[Spider]

we should bring democracy to russia ........ invade ..WMD .Mushroom cloud .... Putins eyes lied to Bush ........

[alkemical]

Hey, Serbia kicked off WWI. Let's go! Burn, baby, burn. The world is bored. You can just sense it. What we need is a world wide conflagration. We can suck China into it. Maybe India and the Pakis can trade nukes. Israel can go off on Iran, Syria and everybody else in the region. Think of the great art that will come out of it. We can reduce the world's population by half and we won't have to worry about global warming anymore. Armageddon, baby!

I KNEW you were part of it! ;)

[Meck77]

Hey, Serbia kicked off WWI. Let's go! Burn, baby, burn. The world is bored. You can just sense it. What we need is a world wide conflagration. We can suck China into it. Maybe India and the Pakis can trade nukes. Israel can go off on Iran, Syria and everybody else in the region. Think of the great art that will come out of it. We can reduce the world's population by half and we won't have to worry about global warming anymore. Armageddon, baby!

I was thinking the same thing. Isn't it something that evil russia has kept out of any major conflict for so long? I'm sure they have some nice weapons they want to test like we've done in Iraq.

[Rohirrim]

I KNEW you were part of it! ;)

War is what the crazy monkey is all about. Let's accept our destiny and get on with it. I've started a movement. I want the name "Homo Sapiens" removed from all science literature. It's a complete misnomer. It means "wise man." I am lobbying to change it to "Homo Infestus," which means "hostile man." After all, the name that science gives a species should be as factual and realistically descriptive as possible. "Wise man" just doesn't cut it. It gives the wrong impression. We are anything but "wise." We are cunning and we are clever, but wise? "Hostile man" is much closer to the truth. (I think the cognate "infest" works well too).

[theAPAOps5]

Why does Russia need to be shown respect over a country that isn't breaking free from them. Bronco Bob probably hit the nail on the head they are worried Chechnya will be next.

[Bronco Jamus]

Why does Russia need to be shown respect over a country that isn't breaking free from them. Bronco Bob probably hit the nail on the head they are worried Chechnya will be next.

I don't disagree with that, but you also have to know the history of the Balkins and their relationship with Russia pre-revolution.

[alkemical]

War is what the crazy monkey is all about. Let's accept our destiny and get on with it. I've started a movement. I want the name "Homo Sapiens" removed from all science literature. It's a complete misnomer. It means "wise man." I am lobbying to change it to "Homo Infestus," which means "hostile man." After all, the name that science gives a species should be as factual and realistically descriptive as possible. "Wise man" just doesn't cut it. It gives the wrong impression. We are anything but "wise." We are cunning and we are clever, but wise? "Hostile man" is much closer to the truth. (I think the cognate "infest" works well too).

Well, i'm an optimist - but in someways i'm just ready to get it over with. One good blood letting is what we want...than lets give it to 'em.

[loborugger]

"brute military force"


Ah, brute military force. I see that Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence Enemies is still on the banned books list at the Russian diplomacy school.

Nonetheless, brute military force -not just military force - seems to be Russian's prefered method of diplomacy for over 300 years now. Why change a winning combination?

This, however, this is what I read between the lines when I see terms like "brute military force." "We dont like the situation in Serbia, but there is little we can do to change it. We are not the mighty Goliath we once were. Border states like Lithuania who once trembled at our voice now thumb their nose at us. We have difficulty influencing events in border nations like Poland. Hell, we cant even seem to stop the violence in Checnya. And now our little Slavic brothers and sisters in Serbia - who we have always sworn to defend - have problems but there is little we can actually do. So we will bluster and make idle threats and sit on hats and do nothing."

[elsid13]

Russia has been for the last several years attempt to make itself "kingmaker" in the Eastern and Southern Europe, this is just a another attempt in that direction. Since thier intimidation tactics has failed on Poland, Ukraine and Czech Republic it seem they are attempting to focus in this area of the world.

The question is how effect is thier logstic base to project power there? I don't know.

[theAPAOps5]

I don't disagree with that, but you also have to know the history of the Balkins and their relationship with Russia pre-revolution.

Thats a very good point. History dictates that the Balkins are a powder keg.

[cutthemdown]

It's still fun to piss off the Soviet Union. Some things never change!!!

[cutthemdown]

Thats a very good point. History dictates that the Balkins are a powder keg.

WW1 did start there right? Anyone for ww3?

seriously though Russia is just thumping it's chest. They aren't going to attack the EU or Kosovo.

[TailgateNut]

It's still fun to piss off the Soviet Union. Some things never change!!!

You always make a strong case for parent's "eating their young", or maybe just clubbing them on a daily basis.

[Inkana7]

Russia doesn't have the infastructure nor the resources to pull off a war on the EU or NATO. They just don't. Same with China.

[loborugger]

Russia has been for the last several years attempt to make itself "kingmaker" in the Eastern and Southern Europe, this is just a another attempt in that direction. Since thier intimidation tactics has failed on Poland, Ukraine and Czech Republic it seem they are attempting to focus in this area of the world.

The question is how effect is thier logstic base to project power there? I don't know.

You got that exactly correct. They are trying to pick up where the Tsars left off, but they no longer have the clout. However, they still see themselves as the guardian angels of all the Slavic people on the planet.

I would say that with the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, their logistical bases in the region are none existent. What would they use? Everything is either destroyed or used by NATO. Further, their fleet wouldnt have the ability to support the ground forces - esp if they had to tangle with the western alliance.

[sirhcyennek81]

Funny about Russia, new musician, same song.


:Broncos:

[24champ]

Russia doesn't have the infastructure nor the resources to pull off a war on the EU or NATO. They just don't. Same with China.

Yup.

[jhat01]

Russia can suck a dick.

[cutthemdown]

You always make a strong case for parent's "eating their young", or maybe just clubbing them on a daily basis.

So that's what happened to you.

[elsid13]

Russia doesn't have the infastructure nor the resources to pull off a war on the EU or NATO. They just don't. Same with China.

Direct conflict would be very hard for them, but if the intend to use natural gas line as tool of war(indirect attack) it might get interesting. Would EU stay strong or would back down with a threat to a major energy source?

A little more about the potential threat -

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/22/business/energy.php