Spectacular Profits in Russia -- Arms for Nations Hostile to U.S.?
June 27, 2003
By Toby Westerman
Copyright 2003 International News Analysis Today
www.inatoday.com
"Russia is a dynamic country" offering "spectacular returns" in a nation with "rock solid stability," declared Russian President Vladimir Putin in an address to business executives in Scotland during his state visit to Britain, according to the Voice of Russia World Service, the official broadcasting service of the Russian government. Putin left unexplained how "spectacular returns" are possible without commensurate risk
Following the address, Russia and Britain announced multi-billion dollar construction plan to bring Russian gas supplies to Britain and Western Europe by way of a pipeline underneath the Baltic Sea. The agreement stands as a signal from Moscow to Europe that additional opportunities for profit lie ahead.
While huge returns on investment are promised to British and European businessmen, Euro energy dependence upon Moscow grows. Britain is considering increasing its reliance on Russian oil supplies, and a Russian oil analyst recently predicted that France and Germany - traditional U.S. allies - will become dependent upon Russian energy exports, according to the online Russian language service of the BBC.
As Europe leans more heavily on Russian oil and gas production, Moscow presents itself to Europe as its natural leader - with no place for the U.S. in a new Europe.
"If Europe wants to be independent and a full-fledged global power center, the shortest route to this goal is good relations with Russia," Putin declared in a statement to journalists in St. Petersburg in late May, according to a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty report.
Putin's Russia, however, is sinking into authoritarian rule, and the Putin government supports those who seek the destruction of Europe's traditional ally, the United States.
In stark contrast to Putin's claim of "rock solid stability," murders of prominent politicians and businessmen still bloody the streets of Moscow and other major Russian cities.
Although Putin boasts of Russia's democratic gains, the French-based free press advocacy group Reporters Without Borders labeled Putin "predator" of a free press because of his consistent - and effective -- campaign against all opposition media.
A free press is essential for the existence of liberty in any nation, but the Russian people are now without any source of independent information. As national elections approach, Russia' s only news outlets are state-run or state-controlled media outlets.
"Dynamic" Russia not only offers profits, energy, and leadership to Europe, but also uses its vast resources to provide aid to nations hostile, or potentially hostile, to the United States, including the burgeoning nuclear power, Iran.
Russia is providing Iran assistance for its nuclear reactor, and for the past decade "democratic" Russia has been the main weapons supplier to communist China, which has worked unceasingly to modernize its military.
Many analysts fear that the Chinese military is planning to overrun the free island of Taiwan, and challenge the U.S. in the Pacific. Moscow is even helping Beijing to launch an orbiting space station.
Vast wealth may be earned from business with Russia, but the question remains, what kind of nation is being built, and what are its intentions toward the United States?
International News Analysis covers the pressing issues the other media do not.
Mail subscriptions to:
International News Analysis
2364 Jackson St. #301
Stoughton, WI 53589 U.S.A.
Return to INA TODAY.com homepage
