The results of the NATO aggression against Federal Yugoslavia in 1999, an action unsanctioned by the UN. May God have mercy on us for such an enormity.
Albania and Croatia signed a protocol on joining NATO. In short, NATO is expanding. This worries Russia, which considers the move as a return to the Cold War. Naturally, Russian concerns are linked with the approach of NATO alliance close to its borders. Reportedly, the alliance has been discussing the so-called NATO Membership Plan for Ukraine and Georgia, a programme of assistance to individual needs of countries wishing to join NATO. If the two countries were admitted to the alliance, the move would undoubtedly harm Russia’s national security.
Russia established cooperation with the alliance under the Russia-NATO Council, especially in fighting international terrorism. Moreover, Russia has allowed the transportation of non-military cargo through its territory to the NATO forces fighting against Taliban in Afghanistan. NATO is also fighting against the flow of narcotics to the world market from Afghanistan. However, despite cooperation, Russia considers NATO expansion as an attempt to undermine the current system of international relations. If the majority of European states joined the alliance, some could try to use it as a replacement for the United Nations, and act through it on the international scene in the interests of the alliance rather than on the basis of international law. The US is attempting to realise its dream of a unipolar world by expanding the alliance.
In the opinion of General Leonid Ivashov, the president of the Academy of Geopolitical Issues, “This is a movement to unify Europe and put it under the domination of American capital. Americans simply try to bring into play several new NATO members, the governments of which are under their control. As a whole, NATO is turning into an instrument that shall be used to seize natural resources and key communication lines. The unification of Western civilisation under the domination of American capital is a preparation for a fight for resources”.
President Dmitri Medvedev recently suggested working out a legally-binding European Security Treaty. The new treaty would be based on the UN Charter and would exclude bloc politics by the countries that join the treaty. It would be best if the treaty were approved at a common European summit. In fact, several European countries have welcomed the President Medvedev’s proposal.
10 July 2008
Anatoly Potapov
Voice of Russia World Service
http://www.ruvr.ru/main.php?lng=eng&q=29522&cid=56&p=10.07.2008 (in English)
