glyn

[quote=braindead;418558]always wanted to ask how are east.eur. guest workers doing and how irritating are they ?

Generally pretty good. I haven't heard anyone describe them as irritating

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Semper in excretum. Solum profunda variat.

rickusn

You are a liar and a fraud.

"Right. I'm a secret KGB agent. Anyways back to reality."

I made no such accusation.

I ignored nothing.

Finally you come clean with your blatantly slanderous anti-Americanism.

Your falsehoods and lies are without as usual merit.

Your accusations about me have no merit.

I have repeatedly posted articles and sources that state unequivacably that all credible opposition in Russia has been wiped out.

You did nothing for me in fact its is the other way around.

"but your statement was ridiculous, ignorant and offensive'

As all of yours have been to me.

I stand by them.

You totally ignored all the evidence Ive presented.

Youve been asked by the moderators to stay clear of me and myself.

Yet you persist spew nonsense and lies.

Your whole agenda since you were allowed to post on this forum was to stop me from spreading the truth of Putins and Russias true purposes.

Its intolerable.

You refuse to back off. OK

The gloves are off.

Stand by for heavy waves.

Officer of Engineers

Rick,

You're banging your head against the wall here, in this case, Feonar is a kid.

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Chimo

Feanor

A liar? More specific please?

You talk about a hidden agenda and ulterior motives. I don't have one. It's not worth my time.

You ignored my links to information about opposition websites, videos of opposition marches and rallies.


I was always completely honest with my stance. I mentioned it in my introduction thread.

More bs. My accusation was one and only: that you don't know the realities of Russian political life. This is a fact.

No you have not. You posted articles that talk about the dangers of Russia's expansionist policy. You have posted no real analysis of internal Russian politics. Your ignorance on the subject is incredible.

I am really sick and tired of you claiming I don't do my research and ignoring all my links. Ok it's an underlined piece of text. You click on it and it takes you to an article or another piece of evidence. [sarcasm]I understand you probably think it's a communist plot to infect your computer with the virus of socialism, but really it's not.[/sarcasm] (just to make sure you know I'm not serious)
Here is a shitload of links. Click on them. Watch the videos. Look at the opposition marches. And then tell me that I posted no relevant evidence.

YouTube - Марш несогласных Dissenters' march Moscow
YouTube - Разгон акции НБП в защиту политзаключённых 25 января 2007
YouTube - Red Flags in Moscow , Communist Demonstration
YouTube - Short Video - Russian Protest - Moscow 2007
YouTube - The Russian protest: Марш несогласных в Нижнем Новгороде

I hope that much video footage satisfies your need for research. Because you yourself have provided none on the subject.

Anything any more specific would be welcome. You're offended by my claim that russia has an opposition? Or that the russian military is impotent and weak? Or that Putin, for all his lack of intelligence, isn't going to use nuclear weapons on anyone?

You stand by that Russia has no opposition?

You've presented no evidence that Russia has no opposition.

Posting a relevant objection to a ridiculous claim, backing it up by ample evidence, and not being intimidated by your outrageous attitude is now called spewing nonsense and lies?

Right. Of course. Thank you for telling me. Now I know what my hidden agenda is.


Heavy waves of what? More biased and opinionated, baseless accusations, and ridiculous claims? Right. I think I'll be ok.

OoE you seriously believe that Russia has no standing opposition?

kato

Disregarding the pro/anti-Russia discussion above, here are some things that are on Donald Tusk's agenda, international-wise:

• withdraw Polish troops from Iraq (currently around 900; originally planned withdrawn in 2005, but kept there by Kaczinsky gov)
• somewhat realign strategic posture back towards Europe (from USA)
• improve relationship with Germany in particular (badly damaged by Kaczinsky gov)
• reduce/reverse emigration (the mentioned emigration wave in the last 3 years has been the biggest in Polish history)
• apply the EU Human Rights Charter for Poland (denied/fought by Kaczinsky)
• likely: enable the EU-Russia Treaty (for a "strategic partnership"; Poland is currently vetoing it)
• lower taxes and make Poland more "business-friendly" (clear for a market-liberal)

The Polish president, the second Kaczinsky twin, will likely try to make most of the above rather difficult for Tusk's government though.

braindead

the point Nr.4 - probably many will return if the economical situation improves , many east.eur. use the work abroad as to gain some capital to start a life back at home . Over here the basic point is to go abroad , work couple of years , see the world and spare so much cash that it allows you to buy a flat (or in current real-estate situation - get enough money for down-payment) . Most of them will return to home .

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braindead

Some new pipeline developments -
- there is a possibility of alternative pipeline : Russias PM Zubkov has hinted that a pipeline could go through Byelorus , but it is not clear , would it be addition to Nordstream or replace it . Anyway it is still only an idea , but it is strongly supported by Byelorus gov. But it is a sign that Russia is looking at alternative ways .
- Gazprom may face difficulties building the pipeline end on German soil , because German officials demand access to pipeline for 3-rd parties (whatever that means ?- BD)

Feanor

3rd parties means, that other countries will be allowed to use the pipeline, defeating the whole point of building it.

kato

The BASF subsidiary Wingas has apparently applied for exemptions to some regulations regarding the German national gas pipeline grid. They want exemptions in order to more freely operate the "Opal", "Nel" and "Kapal" pipelines within Germany (read: exclusively for Nord Stream).
By law, in the "infrastructure market" in Germany, companies are required to allow competitors to transport through their lines (oil/gas pipelines, electricity lines, water, telephone... anything like that) for set prices.
E.On Ruhrgas, the second German partner in Nord Stream, supports Wingas in applying for these exemptions, which the government hasn't granted yet. Exemptions can be granted for international connections, and will likely be granted in this case too.

JohnFlint1985

Guys - all of you should understand one thing here: Putin is very very popular in Russia with more than 70% approval rating.
also please note that
1 It is an election Year in Russia - so Putin using saber rattling tactics to get more support for his future plans

2 Western Europe is not a fighter by any means. I don't want to offend anyone - but there are no people in Germany, France, Italy and Spain who will stand up and say something against this natural gas manipulation. So America is a knight who is going to battle all alone and also drags a dead horse behind him. Please guess - who is a dead horse.

3 Russia will do anything possible to make Western Europe "addicted" to Russian gas and oil - it is the only leverage left to Russia in the world.

4 Russian people have certain mentality: they prefer to stay hungry but see the mighty rockets fly into space. So Putin is using it to his advantage. His very "feisty" stand against the west - brings him a Lot of support.

Honestly I think it is time for our government to say something more direct and tough about this whole situation. Russia knows that we are in vulnerable position in Iraq, so they use it as a warning for us to stay out of their business. My own idea is following. Western Europe has to show some guts and be much more accommodating to-wards USA than I see lately (except UK). If these preconditions will be fulfilled and if the situation will not improve than European governments should specifically ask for our help (involvement) - than and only than we should interfere. For now we should monitor the situation, but stay out of it.

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"We Shall Never Surrender" Winston Churchill

kato

It already is "addicted" to it.

German energy raws consumption:

Crude Oil (2005)
- 472,000 bbl/d from Russia
- 336,000 bbl/d from Norway
- 285,000 bbl/d from UK
- 251,000 bbl/d from Lybia
- 67,000 bbl/d from local production
- 41,000 bbl/d from Nigeria
- 474,000 bbl/d other sources

(in 2006, import share from Russia significantly increased, to 34% of imports)

Natural Gas (2004)
- 1.3 trillion cubic feet from Russia
- 1.0 trillion cubic feet from Norway
- 0.7 trillion cubic feet from Netherlands
- 0.6 trillion cubic feet from local production
- no other sources

Coal (2005)
- 241.7 Mmst local production
- 8.8 Mmst Poland
- 8.4 Mmst South Africa
- 7.6 Mmst Russia
- 13.4 Mmst other sources

(Germany is the 7th-largest coal producer in the world)

Source: EIA Country Analysis Germany, http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Germany/Full.html

JohnFlint1985

This is just Germany. The goal is -- all western Europe and so much of it that there is no other way around it.
Right now the Russia is trying to do the same with another 2 most countries. UK and Denmark - they hold special place in Russian strategy due to their Biggest military budget in EU (for UK) and their very close military ties to USA military. So Germany, I am afraid to say, is only the beginning.

kato

Germany is nothing, i agree. Italy already is more dependant on Russian oil than Germany, France only marginally (as they rely quite a lot more on nuclear power). UK, Netherlands and Norway are "uncrackable" as they export themselves really.

And - which of course has to be said - certain German companies are at the forefront in this, some closely cooperating with Gazprom e.g. in Downstream operation, others themself exploiting oil/gas fields in Russia - a growing industry, despite Russian control attempts by tying them to Gazprom. Other European companies - BP, Shell - haven't even started on that yet.

braindead

And what happens if Russia needs the oil/gas for themselves ? Currently in Russia there is fuel crisis , they do not have gasoline for their own cars in some areas . If this winter turns REALLY cold and they need their natural gas for themselves ? And elections are coming , the gov. already froze the prices . What is more important to have a happy population or happy customers abroad ?

Feanor

for the Kremlin gov. happy customers are a must. Unhappyness at home can be stopped with a few divisions of OMON.