Russia Hedges Bets Over Cheonan Sinking

The Chosun Ilbo ^ | 6/21/2010 | The Chosun Ilbo

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday called for a "thorough investigation" of the sinking of the South Korean Navy corvette Cheonan before taking any action against North Korea.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Medvedev said, "Although only one version has been broadly circulated, we should not take it immediately for granted. A thorough investigation is needed."

The sinking, which claimed the lives of 46 South Korean sailors, was "tragic," he said, adding that the "hypothesis" that it was torpedoed by "a neighboring country" -- i.e. North Korea -- is one of the possible scenarios.

"As soon as the results are obvious and become public knowledge, we can talk about punishing the guilty... I mean a certain state or some other forces," he said.

A team of Russian experts has already reviewed the investigation in South Korea and is currently preparing a report, he added. Medvedev said he spoke to President Lee Myung-bak by telephone on May 25, when he expressed sympathy over the sinking and stressed the need for a thorough investigation.

Commenting on North Korea, he recounted his visit in 2000 as a member of a Russian delegation to what he called a "peculiar nation."

[allmost]

The ‘bear’ is/has been scared.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

They cannot ignore the overwhelming evidence which was very scientific and very thorough.

[allmost]

I fear we may need them.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I agree. We need them to put pressure on North Korea.

[allmost]

Our disatster-in-Chief intimidates no one outside of his media created circle.

[rahbert]

very peculier nation indeed..

[allmost]

The ‘hedge’ is on obama being weak and incompetent. The US keeps the relative peace in Korea. What are they supposed to do with these thugs/clowns in charge.

[ETL]

From Aug 5, 2001:

Putin, Kim Jong Il Signed Declaration

Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong Il, held a historic meeting in the Kremlin on last Saturday to warm traditional ties between their two countries, which have stagnated for over a decade, and signed a key declaration to guide the development of bilateral relations.

At the meeting, Putin expressed his satisfaction with the fact that Kim "has finally made it to Moscow after such a lengthy trip" by train along the Trans-Siberian Railway, the same route Kim’s late father once traveled.

After their meeting, the two leaders signed a milestone declaration which focused on strategic stability and the guidelines of expanding bilateral friendship and cooperation.

The two sides agreed to "promote and enhance friendly relations" in line with the joint declaration of July 19, 2000 and the Russia-DPRK friendship and good neighborly cooperation treaty of February 9, 2000.

Putin and Kim agreed during their talks to promote a Russian- DPRK political dialogue on the Korean issue and international affairs, and discussed many topical international problems, deputy head of the Russian presidential administration Sergei Prikhodko told reporters following the talks.

The two leaders spoke for an independent and peaceful solution to the issue of reunification of the Korean Peninsula, and against "any outside obstacles to this process" as "unacceptable."

The DPRK stated that withdrawal of the American troops from South Korea is an urgent essential issue" and is to promote peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. Russia expressed appreciation of this position and stressed the need to secure peace and stability in the region by non-military means.

(Xinhua News Agency 08/05/2001)

http://www.china.org.cn/english/2001/Aug/17008.htm

[Dem Guard]

What country would want to waste their time and resources confronting N. Korea in an actual war?

[allmost]

None that I’m aware of. The people trapped in the north suffer to this day.

[ETL]

The ‘hedge’ is on Obama being weak and incompetent.

As a member of the Communist left, Obama surely wants a "reunified" Korea...under rule of the Communist North, precisely as the Russians do. One of Obama's key missions in life is to appease the Russians and to help set the stage for a Soviet Union comeback. Be careful about believing anything Obama or the Russians say publicly on these issues. They'd obviously never come right out and admit openly what their true aims are. The Russians may well have given their OK on the attack beforehand.
_____________________________________

"The two sides [Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Russia] agreed to "promote and enhance friendly relations" in line with the joint declaration of July 19, 2000 and the Russia-DPRK friendship and good neighborly cooperation treaty of February 9, 2000.

Putin and Kim agreed during their talks to promote a Russian- DPRK political dialogue on the Korean issue and international affairs, and discussed many topical international problems, deputy head of the Russian presidential administration Sergei Prikhodko told reporters following the talks.

The two leaders spoke for an independent and peaceful solution to the issue of reunification of the Korean Peninsula, and against 'any outside obstacles to this process' as 'unacceptable.' ..."

http://www.china.org.cn/english/2001/Aug/17008.htm

[Dem Guard]

Yep, who wants to win the prize of rebuilding N. Korea?

[allmost]

I would not take Sino-Russian talks at face value.

[allmost]

I think many in the South would. The cost is simply too great and the backing is well, crickets.

[ETL]

I would not take Sino-Russian talks at face value.

Where do the ChiComs come in here? They obviously want a "reunified" Korea under communist rule as well, but does this article even mention them?

[ETL]

From the Sino-Russian Joint Statement of April 23, 1997:
"The two sides [China and Russia] shall, in the spirit of partnership, strive to promote the multipolarization of the world and the establishment of a new international order."

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/HI29Ag01.html
____________________________________________________

"Joint war games are a logical outcome of the Sino-Russian Friendship and Cooperation Treaty signed in 2001, and reflect the shared worldview and growing economic ties between the two Eastern Hemisphere giants."

http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed092605a.cfm
____________________________________________________

From the Russian News and Information Agency:
July 27, 2006
"'I am determined to expand relations with Russia,' Chavez, known as an outspoken critic of what he calls the United States' unilateralism, told the Russian leader, adding that his determination stemmed from their shared vision of the global order.":
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060727/51913498.html

[ETL]

“We are creating a new world, a balanced world. A new world order, a multipolar world,” Chavez told reporters during a visit to Communist China, one of many. His “new world order” includes [RUSSIA], China, Iran,... and a significantly weakened United States, he explained.

Resurgent Communism in Latin America
by Alex Newman, March 16, 2010:

http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/world-mainmenu-26/south-america-mainmenu-37/3122-resurgent-communism-in-latin-america?tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=

[Joe Boucher]

Poland,Japan, and even Mongolia need to start nuke weapons programs to put a little fear into the kgb pos.