Posted on 02/27/2008 11:07:49 AM PST by Tailgunner Joe
The man all but certain to win Russia's presidency warned Wednesday that Kosovo's independence could destabilize Europe.
First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who is expected to easily win Sunday's presidential vote, said Kosovo's independence has "jeopardized security and stability of the vast region."
Medvedev said recognition of Kosovo's declaration Feb. 17, spearheaded by the United States, has "put Europe in a very difficult situation."
"The United States is far away and is not facing any risks, but Europe could go ablaze," he said in a campaign speech in the Volga River city of Nizhny Novgorod. "It's enough to put a match to set everything ablaze."
Russia has vocally condemned Kosovo's independence from Serbia and its recognition by the U.S. and major EU powers, saying it violates international law and threatens to destroy the existing system governing international relations.
Medvedev said Wednesday that Kosovo's independence could encourage a rise in organized crime and drug trafficking across Europe — which would threaten Russia, among other nations.
He promised that Moscow would continue to offer political support to Serbia and said that a new Russian natural gas pipeline would provide "significant" economic assistance to Belgrade.
President Vladimir Putin sent Medvedev to Belgrade on Monday to supervise the signing of a deal for the South Stream pipeline, which would run under the Black Sea from Russia to Bulgaria before extending to Serbia and, possibly, other European nations.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
Time to short the Euro?
By the way, what would a Europe 'ablaze' look like? Most of the countries in the EU invest about $1.93 in their militaries, and run them like jobs programs. It might be a short war.
Big silencer on that thing.
it is sad when what as far as I can tell is a fascist country (Russia) makes sense more than the US on a topic, such as this one.
The Russians are on the right side in this one. We’re the ones helping the muslims reconquer Europe, or as they call it, the Umma.
Ping!
Ping!
That is the buzz all over the place...deliberately enflaming so called self styled “minorities” to dump the status quo and national identities for an enlargement of EU/US reich- an economic unit convenient for corporates.
I agree.
Since this thing started I have had this idea that if the Russians used military force to put an end to this Kosovo independence thing that the EU could do nothing more than sputter with indignation. I am quite certain the U.S. would not move to defend the Kosovars and the EU has no stomach for a real fight with anyone.
It is not beyond the realm of possibility that Putin will use the military in Kosovo. He could well see this as a means of unifying his people and strengthening his hold on power. Putin does not impress me as a wimp (unlike the jellyfish that head up the EU). And I am sure he has sized up the opposition and not found it particularly daunting (to say the least).
At first, I was very critical of the US in this, but now it's starting to make sense.
The Declaration of Independence is a foolish document with out dated ideas.
We must return the breakaway republic of Texas.
Do you think we want to de-stabilize Europe? From the beginning I thought that was what we seem to want. Serbia for centuries has guarded the backdoor of Europe and suddenly the US wants to prop it open. I still can’t figure why.
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September 11th and July 11th on steroids, just for a start.
On a good night, the muslims could torch the entire French inventory of automobiles. Perhaps that is what they mean by “ablaze”.
Sweet SMG!
I don’t give a tinkers damn if Europe burns to the ground.
No, becuase they (The President) is more worried as should be about Iran, than Kosovo-I doubt they would support Kosovo unless they want to loose Russian support against Iran, fully!
Medvedev said Wednesday that Kosovo’s independence could encourage a rise in organized crime and drug trafficking across Europ.
Great excuse for an invasion. Medvedev is saying these guys are cutting into our drug business in Europe, we must object.
It's a secret.
I haven't a clue, either, but my perspective tells me this is US foreign policy at its worst.
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