Angry Merkel Attacks Putin Over Latest Pipeline Closure

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 1-10-2007 | Ian Traqynor- Luke Harding

[blam]

Angry Merkel attacks Putin over latest pipeline closure

· Russian pricing row with Belarus alarms EU
· Dispute hastens effort to safeguard energy supplies

Ian Traynor in Berlin and Luke Harding in Moscow
Wednesday January 10, 2007
The Guardian (UK)

Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany yesterday accused Vladimir Putin's Russia of unacceptable conduct by closing the oil pipeline crucial to Europe's energy consumption. In the toughest language she has used about the Kremlin in her 14 months in office, Mrs Merkel said Russia was destroying international confidence in itself by forcing energy clients to suffer from Russia's bilateral disputes with other post-Soviet states. A year after Russia cut off supplies to Ukraine in a dispute over pricing that many called an act of political blackmail, Russia on Monday closed the Druzhba oil pipeline that supplies eastern and western Europe via Belarus and Ukraine because of a row over pricing and taxes with the authoritarian Lukashenko regime.

The Russians said they had no choice but to close the pipeline because Belarus was illegally siphoning off tens of thousands of tonnes of oil in payment of transit fees it has slapped on Russian exports. President Putin tried to play down the threat to Europe's energy supplies, insisting everything would be done to protect "western consumers". Russia wanted to resolve the crisis as swiftly as possible and "guarantee" oil deliveries.

But if Mr Putin sounded conciliatory, the leader of Germany, Russia's most important energy client, sounded angry.

Launching Germany's six-month presidency of the EU in Berlin alongside Jose Manuel Barroso, the European commission chief, Mrs Merkel said the least she expected from the Kremlin was to be consulted in advance.

[Enterprise]

Oh now don't get upset. It's just the Russians with their usual blackmail, backstabbing, and treachery.

[elhombrelibre]

The Russians are helping Iran with its energy problems by building them a nuclear reactor.

[AdvisorB]

They might as well put this guy back up on his pedestal on the Lubyanka.

[Enterprise]

I think the Russians know a good deal when they see one. They sell Iran the equipment to make a nuclear reactor knowing it's going to be blown up, so they can sell them another one which will also be blown up Oh those sly Russians.

[Enterprise]

Hey - isn't that one of the gang of 88 that signed the petition against the Duke boys?

[wildcatf4f3]

I thought Belarus was pUTIN'S FAVORITE STRONGMAN RULED...ARE THEY NOT SO CLOSE ANYMORE?

[GSlob]

Isn't it amusing how all the putinoids were in high dudgeon a year ago over the gas aquabble between russia and Ukraine but somehow took a collective vacation in the current belarus conflict? The most logical conclusion is that lukashenko is their puppet, is known to be such, and in such quality is not taken seriously by them.

[marron]

Is Belarus not siphoning oil from the pipeline? If that were really happening, that would be reason enough to shut down the pipeline.

Is Russia still shipping by way of tanker, for example, or have they stopped all shipments, not just the pipeline?

If Russia isn't shipping oil, they aren't selling oil. They aren't making any money. It sounds to me as if Germany needs to diversify its fuel supplies, so that the loss of one supplier isn't such a big deal, and Russia needs to build its Baltic pipeline, toute suite, so they aren't held hostage by Belarus.

[marron]

The most logical conclusion is that lukashenko is their puppet, is known to be such, and in such quality is not taken seriously by them.

I remember a few years back, when Kuchma was president, that Russia accused Ukraine of siponing off gas from pipelines traversing her territory. It was something they tolerated, but it definitely cut into their profits and was an annoyance. Later, after Kuchma left office, Russia dug in their heels and said no more.

[AdvisorB]

Sign a petition? Hell,Iron Felix would have had all three of the students shot on the spot for being enemies of the people.

[TaMoDee]

Hey, This guy never has been removed from his pedestal in Madison, Wisconsin.

[pacelvi]

I cant get this out of my head.

The word of the Lord came to me “Son of man, turn toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. Prophesy against him and say ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says Look, I am against you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and bring you out with all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them fully armed, a great company with shields of different types, all of them armed with swords.

Persia, Ethiopia, and Put are with them, all of them with shields and helmets.

They are joined by Gomer with all its troops, and by Beth Togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops – many peoples are with you.

[eleni121]

And he wasn't even a Russian.

[dennisw]

Oh now don't get upset. It's just the Russians with their usual blackmail, backstabbing, and treachery.

Amazing isn't it how they always screw their energy customers in the winter!
Vlad Putin is KGB-RussianMafiaOligarchy through and through

[eleni121]

Mrs Merkel --- you enemy is not Putin but the rest of Europe and their sniveling attacks on the US.

[VeniVidiVici]

It sounds to me as if Germany needs to diversify its fuel supplies, so that the loss of one supplier isn't such a big deal,

That's what they were told 20 years ago. Ironic, isn't it that W.Europe trusted the Soviets to not cut-off supplies but a "democratic" society is putting the screws to them.

Also ironic that the pipeline is named "Friendship" (Druzhba).

[RusIvan]

The Russians said they had no choice but to close the pipeline because Belarus was illegally siphoning off tens of thousands of tonnes of oil in payment of transit fees it has slapped on Russian exports. ==

Key phraze.

Mrs Merkel said the least she expected from the Kremlin was to be consulted in advance. ==

If Lukashenko consulted with Russia in advance that he will become to steal russian oil form tube then Putin surely would consult in advance with EU.

[RusIvan]

Isn't it amusing how all the putinoids were in high dudgeon a year ago over the gas aquabble between russia and Ukraine but somehow took a collective vacation in the current belarus conflict?==

"Putionoid" or not I did tell you and other russophobes here year ago that Russia WILL impose the real market prices on ALL customers of russian products. Belorus was no exemption.
Putin does it step by step. The times of discounts are over.

[RusIvan]

Later, after Kuchma left office, Russia dug in their heels and said no more.==

It is because Kuchma accepted the fact of steals and aggred to pay for them. Now those steals are in Ukraine state debts.