Russia 'can't allow' U.S. to widen war to Iraq

Drudge Report ^ | Friday, October 5, 2001 | SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM

[callisto]

MOSCOW — Russia has already signalled its opposition to a U.S. offensive against Iran and Iraq.

Russian officials said Moscow would help Washington with the war on terrorism. But they said President Vladimir Putin would not allow the regime of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein or Iran to become a U.S. target in such a war.

Moscow has sent weapons and troops to help the opposition Northern Alliance overthrow the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Russia has also agreed to U.S. troops and combat planes in neighboring Uzbekistan, Middle East Newsline reported.

Both Iran and Iraq are on the U.S. State Department list of terrorist sponsors. The Bush administration has been engaged in a debate over making Iraq a target in Washington's war on terrorism.

Moscow has indicated that this is where it would draw the line. Russia has emerged as an ally of both Baghdad and Teheran.

"We can't allow the United States to wield its club the way it wants," Col. Sergei Goncharov, a leading Russian military analyst, said. "We are on good terms with Iran. We have tremendous economic investments in and expectations of Iraq. We can't afford to sever all these ties in one stroke. I foresee a major debate along these lines."

Arab diplomatic sources said Moscow has relayed assurances to Washington that it will oppose a strike against Iraq.

But Goncharov said Moscow might not oppose a surgical strike on Iraq should Washington bring proof that Saddam was involved in the Sept. 11 Islamic suicide attacks on New York and Washington.

"It's quite obvious: if there is proof that, say, Iraq harbors terrorists, then action is fair," Goncharov said. "But if they want to start carpet bombings, like in Yugoslavia, and then see what happens, it can't be allowed."

[Stavka2]

As if the US is an honoest broker. It back hands Isreal and India over terrorists. Panders to Pakistan and Saudi, both of whom support Taliban. It kuddles with Egypt, trying to sell them M1A2s and other heavy equipment. Barely says a word about Sudan and Palistine, which by the way are exterminating Christians...but what a surprise when the US supports the KLA/NLA against Christians and arms them. Lets not be hypocrits now, shall we?

[HamiltonJay]

Russia can go to hell on this one! IRAQ needs to be flattened. There is no doubt of their ties and funding and training and support for terror around the globe. Russia should spend more time worrying about feeding its people and less time worrying about dictators who need to be "eliminated".

[Stavka2]

Hay Dr.Mike, funny, unlike most countries, Russia has enjoyed an annual 6%+ growth rate...gee, maybe your info is about an election too old. Try looking around and finding out what a country's true economic barings are before posting CNN crap ideas. Russia has paid back half of its IMF debts+30% interest and has kicked the IMF out. Try again, bud.

And to the lot of you: Imagine that, Russia is an idependent nation with its own concerns and issues...sorry not every nations wants to be a US lacky lap dog like Britian.

[Stavka2]

Hay, if you want I'll send you your own monogrammed tin binny for only $19.95...to add to your bloodthirsty collection.

[HELLRAISER II]

O.K. S 2 I can imagine that Russia is an independent Country free of American Policy, I can also agree that bombing Christians in favor of Muslims in Serbia was a mistake that will cost us big time over the years. I also was in hopes that Russia & The USA could put apart our differences and become the allies that we both need. But Putin doesn't tell us what to do any more than we tell him what to do. Your Govt. is selling weapons to Terrorists that have it in for the U.S. and they ought not to be selling Nuclear weapons & the such to Iranians & the Iraqi's that's insane. If they did use these weapons on us, who do you think becomes the next target. Answer the next biggest guy on the block, Russia. Your Country is making the same mistakes we did with Iraq & Afghanistan. These people are Mad Dog killers that have one goal, the destruction of all Christian people and your country is defending them. Step back & take another look, is it worth a nuclear war to help these Bastards.

[Stavka2]

OOOO, you so funny GI, you so funny! You GI number 10, buku number 10, GI.

[RetiredArmy]

Note to Comrade Puttbutt: Either you are with us or you are with the terriorists. Commence bombing run on Lennin's tomb.

[Stavka2]

Umm, where to start. There have been no nuclear weapons sold to either...there that's a good spot. Iraq owes Russia $6 billion dollars and doesn't have to pay as long as there are sanctions. Iran is buying a civilian reactor...the rest of the apperataus for the civilian nuclear plant came from places like the US, Germany and France. Now, shall we try again?

[Stavka2]

Maybe you haven't figured out mathematics but if Russia is annihelated what do you think 6,000 20 mega ton war heads will do to the US? How do you like your children, crispy or vaporized. You guys spout out stupidity at an incredible rate, never stopping once to think about reality...exactly why I'm glad the US is a representative republic and not a democracy where the idiotic blood thirsty mob gets to rule.

[Stavka2]

You can have Lenin for free, as for the rest of the bombing run...when ever you have the balls and like your children glowing...just come and get some smart guy.

[American Soldier]

Yeah not every nation wants to have a real democracy and a real legal system and not be run by a KGB spook like Great Britain. Haha if every nation doesn't want to be Great Britain why is everybody from Portugal eastward trying to get there? They get more immigrants than they can handle.

There's too much of this Russia-hugging crap going on these days. It makes me want to vomit, it's like seeing dirty hippies in the 60s saying "The East is Red and the West is Ready!" Russia still has done virtually nothing to fix their flawed Cold War foreign policy.

I'm performance-oriented. My motto is "Show me." I like Russian people, but if I'm to pay any regard to that government I'd like to see them on freedom's side at least ONE D&MN TIME! We'll see...for now I'll play the optimist.

[American Soldier]

And BTW - you should pray for bloodthirsty mob rule in America - that could've brought a Socialist (100% Democrat) government to power decades ago, and then we'd be where Russia is today.

[Sawdring]

Bump!

[flamefront]

Hey, they are relenting on Cuba, so ...

[AGAviator]

There's no reason for Russia to have the identical geopolitical objectives as another nation half way around the world. They're going to make alliances in what they perceive is their best interest, and they may not see a US which has raked them over the coals financially in the last 10 years as a country to completely trust.

[HELLRAISER II]

There were supposedly no nukes sold to China from that scumbag Slick Willie either, but the sale of our Super Computer damn sure put us in peril as if we sold them the nukes ourselves. There is no doubt in my mind that Russia is selling them the technology if not the WMD's themselves. Now I know you believe what your saying as much as I do, But let's say your are right and they are only selling nuclear reactor components and the such. This is Iran & Iraq were talking about, Saddam Insane has said that he would Nuke the West if he aquired the means to do it. Well I'd say that Russia is supplying him the means if not the weapons themselves. You know you have such a chip on your shoulder about topics on Russia, you know we don't all hate Russia although I admit that I hated the USSR. Russia has come a long way & she needs our alliance if she is to get through these hard times. Don't you think we would be better off if we weren't selling weapons to each others enemies.