Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Russian Warships On Standby To Sail To Gulf
The Guardian (UK) ^ | 1-10-2002 | Nick Walsh

Posted on 01/09/2003 8:49:18 PM PST by blam

Russian warships on standby to sail to Gulf

Nick Paton Walsh in Moscow
Friday January 10, 2003
The Guardian

Russia has put three warships on standby to go to the Persian Gulf within the next month to protect its "national interests" in the event of an American invasion of Iraq. Russia's Pacific fleet has been ordered by the central command to prepare two cruisers and a fuel tanker for immediate deployment to the Gulf.

The move will heighten tension between Moscow and Washington, who both have interests in Iraq's oilfields.

The Marshal Shaposhnikov and the Admiral Panteleyev cruisers would be called upon to defend Russian "national interests" in the Gulf if the conflict between Iraq and the US escalates.

The ships - armed with missiles and reconnaissance equipment - have been ordered to be ready for deployment between late this month and early February.

Lukoil, Russia's biggest oil firm, had a £13bn contract with Baghdad to develop the West Qurna oilfield cancelled last month, reportedly after the Iraqi regime discovered Russia had been negotiating with Iraq's opposition.

Military analysts pointed out that the defence of "national interests" may also refer to the Russian military's desire to conduct surveillance on both sides during any conflict.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: gulf; russian; sail; standby; warships
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-39 next last

1 posted on 01/09/2003 8:49:19 PM PST by blam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: blam
Tick....tick....tick....tick....tick...
2 posted on 01/09/2003 8:51:04 PM PST by mhking
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam
I read the sentence

Russia has put three warships on standby to go to the Persian Gulf within the next month

as

Russia has put its three warships on standby to go to the Persian Gulf within the next month

I know the article doesn't say that, but isn't it true that the Russian navy is a shadow of its former (Soviet) self?

3 posted on 01/09/2003 8:57:05 PM PST by 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mhking
Spy ships to watch our latest toys and methods. We would do the same.
4 posted on 01/09/2003 8:57:33 PM PST by Spruce
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Spruce
"Spy ships to watch our latest toys and methods. We would do the same."

Yup. Routine.(?)

5 posted on 01/09/2003 9:15:09 PM PST by blam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: blam
Do you think or know if they did the same thing during Desert Storm? I would like to know if they did. I'll bet they are not to happy about the oil deal that fell threw though.
6 posted on 01/09/2003 9:38:02 PM PST by mark the shark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: blam
If I read that France has deployed it’s ship fleet then I’ll know we’re in BIG trouble.
7 posted on 01/09/2003 9:47:58 PM PST by xNavspook
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: xNavspook
Chirac Tells His Armed Forces To Be Ready For War (Iraq)
8 posted on 01/09/2003 10:04:26 PM PST by blam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten
"know the article doesn't say that, but isn't it true that the Russian navy is a shadow of its former (Soviet) self?

This is all we need to counter the Russian War Ships :-)

9 posted on 01/09/2003 10:06:55 PM PST by MJY1288
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: mark the shark
OMG, that's too funny.. a mad, mad, mad, mad dash for the oil patch! Running over the French!

You are correct, I'm not sure if Russia even noticed Gulf War I.

10 posted on 01/09/2003 10:10:49 PM PST by txhurl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: mark the shark
The Russians did deploy a few ship into the Gulf during the Gulf War. I will see if I can find an article
11 posted on 01/09/2003 10:15:28 PM PST by MJY1288
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: blam
"A top military official said Russia's new military doctrine, which expands the conditions under which nuclear weapons could be used, also applies to protecting allies, the Interfax news agency reported Tuesday."

"The doctrine had raised concerns among some observers because it says Russia could use nuclear weapons if other means to repel an aggressor fail. Previous policy said nuclear weapons could be used only if Russia's sovereignty was threatened."


Russia Strengthens Ties with Iraq - Road from Washington to Moscow passes through Baghdad (4/18/01)
US blasts Russia, China for opposition to Iraq sanctions plan (6/26/01)
Russian Foreign Minister Opposes U.S. Military Actions Against Iraq (2/14/02)
Russian Duma to Issue Resolution in Support of Iran & Iraq (2/20/02)
Russia, Iraq to Sign $40B Deal (8/17/02)
Blow for Bush as Russia agrees £27bn Iraq deal (8/19/02)
U.S. warns Russia over Iraq, Iran ties (8/21/02)
12 posted on 01/09/2003 10:20:54 PM PST by Orion78 (I hope Golitsyn is wrong)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam

If the anchor chains aren't rusted solid, they've got at least 4 more they can send.

13 posted on 01/09/2003 11:33:42 PM PST by struwwelpeter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


PLEASE SUPPORT FREE REPUBLIC

Donate Here By Secure Server

Or mail checks to
FreeRepublic , LLC
PO BOX 9771
FRESNO, CA 93794
or you can use
PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com

Become A Monthly Donor
STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD

14 posted on 01/09/2003 11:34:09 PM PST by Mo1 (Join the DC Chapter at the Patriots Rally III on 1/18/03)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: struwwelpeter
no doubt they'll be gathering RADINT/TELINT/ELINT/COMINT/etc by spy bird ... I presume they still have a few flying ... what's their equivalent of RC-135(x)'s? ... I know they fly some recon bears and probably a converted IL-76 (like the Beriev A-50 Mainstay) ...

you might have to re-enlist for a little time ... hehe ...
15 posted on 01/09/2003 11:43:45 PM PST by Bobby777
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: MJY1288

Don't forget the hospital ship!

16 posted on 01/09/2003 11:45:16 PM PST by struwwelpeter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: MJY1288
What does this need a motor for? Just point the gun backwards and shoot. You will go forward.
17 posted on 01/09/2003 11:46:35 PM PST by UCANSEE2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: All
Picture of Coast Guard under Bill Clinton's plans, and how he intended to defend our shores.


18 posted on 01/09/2003 11:49:47 PM PST by UCANSEE2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Bobby777
America has few secrets that are not for sale. As for the rest, this helps...


19 posted on 01/09/2003 11:52:38 PM PST by struwwelpeter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: UCANSEE2
Thanks for the laugh! It's been a tuff day...dog killing cops, et al.
20 posted on 01/10/2003 12:07:26 AM PST by CaptSkip
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-39 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson