This is how we will stand up to Russia's naked aggression (Gordon Brown)

[bemildred]

Twenty years ago, as the Berlin Wall fell, people assumed the end of hostility between East and West, and a new world order founded on common values. As part of this, 10 Eastern European states joined Nato and intensified co-operation with Europe and more wanted to follow. But Russia's hostile action towards Georgia suggests that they are unreconciled to this new reality. Their aggression raises two urgent questions for us: how best to stabilise Georgia now, and how to make it clear to Russia that its unilateral approach is dangerous and unacceptable. War in Georgia also poses a serious longer term issue - how can we best create a rules-based international system that protects our collective security and safeguards our shared values?

At tomorrow's European summit in Brussels we will first unite to alleviate the suffering of the 100,000 Georgian civilians left without homes. The UK has already pledged £2m, and I will urge partners to meet not only Georgia's immediate needs but its long-term reconstruction and development needs. We will deploy peace monitors to better judge violations of the ceasefire, appoint a senior figure to drive the humanitarian and political effort, and support the Nato Georgia Commission, with a Nato team sent to Georgia.

Georgia has felt the consequences of the conflict. It is important that the summit also demonstrates to Russia that its actions have real consequences.

No one wants a new Cold War or the encirclement of Russia. But when I spoke to President Medvedev yesterday, I told him to expect a determined European response. As David Miliband has said, there can be no return to 'business as usual' unless and until Russia commits fully to Georgia's territorial integrity and withdraws to its previous positions.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/31/russia.georgia?gusrc=rss&feed=politics

[bemildred]

1. UK's Brown warns of Russian "energy stranglehold"

LONDON - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned that Russia must not be allowed to subject Europe to an "energy stranglehold" and said NATO should review relations with Moscow in the light of its actions in Georgia.

In an article in Sunday's Observer newspaper, Brown said he had spoken to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and told him to expect a determined response when European leaders meet to discuss the Georgia crisis on Monday.

The EU meeting in Brussels will debate the bloc's response to Russia's military intervention and its decision to recognise South Ossetia and Georgia's other breakaway region, Abkhazia, as independent states.

The Russian incursion has raised fears in the West that an important oil pipeline from the Caspian Sea to the Turkish Mediterranean coast via Georgia could come under Russian control.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=ce4ddbee-900b-4731-8909-9a1748f525cc

[atreides1]

2. I'm sure Brown Really Means This

"No one wants a new Cold War or the encirclement of Russia."

Boy you sure could have fooled anyone who can read a map.

If Brown is sincere, then NATO will stop the recruitment of those countries that are on Russia's Western border. Maybe it would be better if the former Soviet states that want to be or are now a member of NATO, form their own mutual defense group.

NATO could provide them with initial equipment and training, and then pull back to NATO's original positions. It would then be up to them to aid one another, and not have to depend on the Western powers to pull their asses out of any quagmire they get themselves into.

I already know that I'll get flamed for this, but personally I don't see any reason why any US military personnel should have to die for Eastern Europe's freedom. If they love and want freedom so badly then do just like the Founders did, and be prepared to fight to keep it.

[bemildred]

3. He's just too chickenshit to rebel against his American master.

Britons need better "leadership" than this, and real soon now.

[Diclotican]

4. atreides1

atreides1

The country who ARE member of NATO already, is maybe there to be. But that was part of the "Outer empire" and not part of the SOVIET UNION. And it is defiantly a diference between the former Soviet union, and of the former eastern european country.. And I fear that Russia in the future would be far more aggressive in their action if other former union members was to get to close with NATO.. Yes friendly training, and helping, and more modern weaponry it bad enough, but something Kremlin can accept, specially if Russia can be part of the partnership.. Russia want to be a better part of Europe, but fear it also. And the Russian history is full of that, friendship with west, and then betrayal.. It have cost russia a Lot OF life to survive that...

On the other hand, many of the eastern european country had, and have legitimate concern, when it come to Russia.. It have never been easy to be part of that what Russia feel are in "their zone of affairs". Specially they who are direct in contact with Russia...

Russia is a country we in europe have to respect, even if we disagree with Russia, as with Georgia, we have to respect that they to, have their concern when it come to their security.. I have no clue who started the trouble in Georgia, but I am very sure that "other parties" was behind it, and they want to steer up enough problems so the Russian would be seen as the bad gay in this case.. I doubt we have the total picture about this, and would possible not have this, before a long time have passed...

I doubt that Russia would play hardball with other of the eastern european country, maybe little, but not in the same case as with Georgia.. For the most part the others have long "friendship" with Russia, if we don't count Poland who hate the russian with a passion.. They are seen to have a deep hatred for Russia..

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language