GAS CONFLICT - Michael Glos, the German minister of economy, doesn't want a untrustworthy supplier

DER SPIEGEL ^ | January 2, 2006 | ????

[Atlantic Bridge]

Refering to the gas conflict between Ukraine und Russia the German minister of economy, Michael Glos suggested consequences for Russia. At the same time he promoted a reversal in Germanys energy policy: Coal and atomic energy would be alternatives.

Glos underlined that Germany only will increase its imports of gas from Russia, if the steady delivery is trustworthy. Russia has the chairmanship of the G8. Therefore he expects responsible attitudes.

During his visit in Moscow last December he already told President Putin: "Russian Gas has a good reputation in Germany, especially a reputation of reliability and steadiness." Snip....

Snip... Glos used the opportunity to promote a reversal of Germanys energy policy. Due to the gas conflict between Russia and Ukraine that affects Germany we should think how we can loosen the depency from foreign suppliers. Sources like coal and atomic energy would be thinkable alternatives. Snip...

[Atlantic Bridge]

Not funny for Putin or Miller, the boss of GASPROM. If Germany is rethinking its energy policy, they will be dependent from UN-food-relief within a few years, since they are absolutely not able to stabilize their own industry. The deliveries of energy and raw materials to Germany are the foundation of Russias economy.

The German administration will not make a lot of noise, but the signal is quite clear. The personal axis between Putin and Schroeder is over. Moscow has to deal with Angela Merkel and a different policy now. Therefore Miller has to find a fair compromise with the Ukraine.

[Atlantic Bridge]

PING!

[AdmSmith]

Ausgezeichnet!

[spanalot]

http://news.findlaw.com/ap/i/629/12-31-2005/328d002b834d892a.html

This is why Putie is wanting his gas back - he thought he was buying an election.

[KellyAdmirer]

Refering to the gas conflict between Ukraine und Russia the German minister of economy, Michael Glos suggested consequences for Russia.

Tough talk from the Germans. Hitler was obsessed with oil sources, btw.

[EagleUSA]

Just amazing how the radical leftists change to the right when reality strikes. Coal and nuclear power --- are alternatives, especially nuclear.

Bring on the nukes in America too -- down with petro fuels --- especially LNG.

[Lukasz]

Good signal for Putin and other chekists in Russia. Germany is the biggest client of Gazprom so such opinion should be eyes-opening for them.

[Cicero]

The environmentalists favored nuclear power until some jerk persuaded them otherwise.

I raised the argument the other day that ONLY nuclear power can make a real dent in our fossil fuel problems with a very leftist inlaw, and he actually sat still for it. I'm not sure he agrees, but he was at least willing to entertain the idea.

Of course it won't happen easily while a Republican is president, because the Democrats are in full foot-dragging, obstructionist mode. They consider regaining political power far more important than the good of our country. Therefore the higher gas and fuel oil prices go, the happier they are, because they can blame it on Bush with the help of their enablers in the MSM.

[GSlob]

I remember that some 12 years ago in Kentucky there was a demonstration project - making oil from coal - and they claimed that breakeven point was about 30$/barrel. There was even a demonstration gas station with cars coming and going. Petro fuels would be still needed, if only for the truck fleet, but to seriously contemplate coal-to-oil conversion on megascale seems to be a good idea. Infrastructure could probably be built in something like 5 years.

[PGalt]

Interesting. Thanks.

[EagleUSA]

They consider regaining political power far more important than the good of our country.
----
That is the ENTIRE PURPOSE for their existence. Power and control. They don't give a damn about the country or the people -- they never have.

[Michael81Dus]

I think this - let´s call it what it is - scandal clearly shows that we should not shut down our nuclear power plants. In fact, we need more to become independant from Russian gas. They´re clean and efficient. I hope the government will rethink its position, and if not, well, let´s pray for a government that does.

[pepsionice]

The left in Germany is not rushing to nuclear power or changing its tune. What the right-wing has been waiting on...for ten years...is a drastic measure where they could reverse the halt to German nuclear power. This is that opportunity. They won't waste it. I would guess that plans were being pushed around to build another nuclear plant or two...and that you will hear about it by summer. This Russian episode with the natural gas...is a total screw-up...and has every marking of the Kremlin on it. Its amazing that the networks won't even suggest that.

[Berlin_Freeper]

This is the Russian company that Schröder jerk now works for.

[lowbuck]

Thanks for the post. First the Eurofighter rethink and now this. Perhaps the new government of Frau Merkel is starting to stake out it's ground!

Here is the link to the English version of the article: http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,393168,00.html

Atlantic Bridge, best wishes for a happy New Year to you and the family. Lowbuck

[wolf78]

"This is the Russian company that Schröder jerk now works for."

Couldn't have phrased it better. BTW, Spiegel's english site now also has an article on the energy dispute:

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,393168,00.html

Also check out:

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,393163,00.html

[Lessismore]

A reliable supply depends either on the completion of the direct Russia to Germany pipeline under the Baltic Sea, or on further expansion of the pipelines through Belarus and Poland. In the latter case, Poland would have to behave as a member of the EU, and Belarus is much better controlled by Russia.

Or Russia could occupy Belarus and the Eastern half of Poland, while Germany occupies the Western half of Poland.

[MARKUSPRIME]

Sounds good I just hope the EU will have the backbone to stand up to the russians. The russians will use their petrol products as a political weapon against Europe.I can see a scenerio where the EU disagrees with russia over some large issue in the future and russia just turning the gas off. If people in europe dont think they are totally dependant now on the russians, and that Putin and company could bring them to their knees in a day then they are foolhardy. Europe, russia isnt your ally the US is and you need to rid yourself of the dependency of the russian fuel weapon being held to your head.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Thanks for the links.

I am amazed (but not really surprised) at what little respect that KGB Thug Putin has for his stooge Gerhard Schröder.

Just weeks after putting Schröder in the company, Putin pulls this ballsy stunt and highlights exactly what a poodle Schröder really is.

Schröder's face must be turning red on this one. Unfortunately I find this an embarrassment for Germany, deep shame on him.

[Lessismore]

All Europe must be considering how to address their energy security in the future. In Chirac's New Year's address he said --

"Aujourd'hui, nous sommes confrontés simultanément à deux révolutions industrielles majeures: l'énergie, avec l'après pétrole qui est la grande affaire du siècle. Et le numérique. La France sera pionnière. Elle agira pour entraîner ses partenaires européens dans la voie de la construction de l'Europe industrielle".

Which I think translates something like --

"Today, we simultaneously confront two major industrial revolutions: energy, post-petroleum, which is the great business [or challenge?] of the century. And digitalization [or information technology?]. France will be a pioneer. She will act to engage her European partners in the way of building industrial Europe."

France, of course, is a leader in the use of nuclear fission plants for electrical generation. France has also been selected as the site for the international fusion reactor.