Civil War in Ukraine: Western Empire vs Russia
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Tragedy in Elenovka-shocking sequences of shelling by Ukrainian punitives (18+)
http://novorossia.today/tragedy-in-elenovka-shocking-sequences-of-shelling-by-ukrainian-punitives-18/
Russia surprised by Poroshenko statements on arming OSCE mission with heavy weapons
https://dninews.com/article/russia-surprised-poroshenko-statements-arming-osce-mission-heavy-weapons
http://novorossia.today/tragedy-in-elenovka-shocking-sequences-of-shelling-by-ukrainian-punitives-18/
Russia surprised by Poroshenko statements on arming OSCE mission with heavy weapons
https://dninews.com/article/russia-surprised-poroshenko-statements-arming-osce-mission-heavy-weapons
angelburst29
The Living Force
US-Ukraine "Partnership" threatens new Chernobyl-style disaster
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/04/us-ukraine-partnership-threatens-new.html
April 26, 2016 will mark the 30th anniversary of the catastrophic explosion of the 4th reactor at the Chernobyl power plant, the effects of which are felt to this very day. This comes at a time when alarming news has arrived which evokes concern over the future of Ukraine’s nuclear industry.
The problems started along with the "Maidan" coup backed by the US and EU, because Washington immediately started to lobby for a large deal in its own interests, including nuclear industry projects.
The Ukrainian state enterprise Energoatom and the Westinghouse Company (US), agreed in 2014 to extend the contract to supply Ukrainian nuclear power plants with US nuclear fuel, until 2020.
But the use of US produced fuel for Soviet reactors is not compatible with their design, and violates security requirements, and could lead to disasters comparable with what happened in Chernobyl. The International Union of Veterans of Nuclear Energy and Industry (IUVNEI) issued the following statement on April 25th, that "Nuclear fuel produced by the US firm Westinghouse does not meet the technical requirements of Soviet-era reactors, and using it could cause an accident on the scale of the Chernobyl disaster, which took place on the 26th April 1986." The IUVNEI brings together more than 15,000 nuclear industry veterans from Armenia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Finland, the Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine. It was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Moscow.
Four years ago, there was a near-miss in the Ukraine, when a TVS-W unit with damaged distancing armatures, nearly experienced a significant uncontrolled release of dangerous radiation. Only by a miracle was there no disaster at the South Ukrainian nuclear power plant. But it did not prevent the signing of the agreement. A Czech nuclear power plant experienced a depressurization of fuel elements produced by Westinghouse several years ago, followed by the Czech government's abandoning the company as a fuel supplier. According to Yuri Nedashkovsky, the president of the country's state-owned nuclear utility Energoatom, on April 23th, 2014 Ukraine’s interim government ordered an allocation of 45.2 hectares of land for the construction of a nuclear waste storage site within the depopulated exclusion area around the plant of Chernobyl, between the villages of Staraya Krasnitsa, Buryakovka, Chistogalovka and Stechanka in the Kiev Region (the Central Spent Fuel Storage Project for Ukraine's VVER reactors). The fuel is to come from Khmelnitsky, Rovno and South Ukraine nuclear power plants.
At present, used fuel is mostly transported to a new dry-storage facility at the Zheleznogorsk Mining and Chemical Factory in the Krasnoyarsk region, and storage and reprocessing plant Mayak in the Chelyabinsk region; the both facilities are situated in the Russian Federation.
In 2003, Ukraine started to look for alternatives to the Russian storage units. In December 2005, Energoatom signed a 127.8 million euro agreement with the US-based Holtec International to implement the Central Spent Fuel Storage Project for Ukraine's VVER reactors. Holtec's work involved design, licensing, construction, commissioning of the facility, and the supply of transport and vertical ventilated dry storage systems for used VVER nuclear fuel. By the end of 2011 Holtec International had to close its office in Kiev as it had come under harsh criticism worldwide. It is widely believed that the company has lost licenses in some countries because of the poor quality of its containers resulting in radiation leaks. Westinghouse and Holtec are members of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC). Morgan Williams, President/CEO of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, has worked in Ukraine since the 1990's.
"Today is one of the most important days since Ukraine's independence as the efforts of these two internationally known companies will go a long way to assuring that Ukraine has greater energy independence," he said at the ceremony devoted to Westinghouse Electric Company and Holtec International signing contracts with Ukraine. The President of USUBC added, "This is made more important by the fact that for Ukraine, energy and political independence are closely interdependent. I join all of the USUBC members in toasting the success of these two great member companies, as we all work to assist Ukraine on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration and a strong democratic, private market driven nationhood."
Morgan Williams is known as a lobbyist representing the interests of Shell, Chevron and ExxonMobil in Ukraine. He has direct links with Freedom House which is involved in staging “color revolutions” in Eurasia, North Africa and Latin America.
One more interesting fact to be mentioned here. In Spring 2014 it was reported that according to covert agreements reached between Ukraine’s interim government and its European partners, the nuclear waste coming from EU member states would be stored in Ukraine. Being in violation of the law, the deal is kept secret. Some high standing officials in Kiev were remunerated. It is said that Alexander Musychko (Sashko Biliy), a prominent nationalist from Rovno, tried to blackmail the Kiev rulers threatening to make the conspiracy public. That’s why he was killed, on the orders of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Arsen Avakov.
US is the main manager of the self-isolation of the Ukrainian regime from Russia, which has greatly impacted cooperation between two countries, as well as in the area of nuclear security. The administration of the Chernobyl nuclear plant has stated clearly that the process is going in wrong way.
Kiev deputy: Yatsenyuk has left for Argentina
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/04/kiev-deputy-yatsenyuk-has-left-for.html
In the Verkhovna Rada, journalists reported that Yatsenyuk had left the Ukrainian capital. Deputy Sergey Kaplin stated that the former prime minister is currently in Latin America.
“According to my information, Arseniy Yatsenyuk has flown to Argentina either on a business trip, vacation, or for escaping - I don’t know. It is also unknown when he will return,” Kaplin reported.
All Talk and No Walk: Poroshenko Promises, But Fails to Deliver
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160427/1038720071/president-poroshenko-failed-promises.html
This article remembers Poroshenko's past promises and analyzes whether the Ukrainian president kept true to his words.
Roshen Poroshenko is known as the owner of Roshen, the large-scale confectionary company from where he gained the nickname "Chocolate King." During the 2014 Presidential election, Poroshenko promised to "get rid" of his private assets and sell Roshen if elected.
"If I'm elected as a President of Ukraine, I would play fair and sell Roshen. As President I want to and will care only about the well-being of Ukraine," the oligarch said.
He did end up getting elected as the president, but as the time went on Poroshenko seemed not too eager to get rid of his candy business. A year after the election, when asked about his promise, Poroshenko claimed he couldn't sell Roshen because nobody wanted to buy his company.
It's been two years since Poroshenko was elected and he still owns the candy enterprise. Too sweet to get rid of, it seems.
Moreover, the recently leaked Panama Papers showed Poroshenko had moved his company's assets to the British Virgin Islands two months after the 2014 election, thus hiding his company's profits and evading taxes while serving as the president, which goes in a direct violation of the Ukrainian constitution. Amusingly, the latest news about Poroshenko's offshore deeds came out while his government was campaigning against offshore companies. (Article continues,)
Poroshenko orders to deploy up to 1,000 police officers to Odessa
http://novorossia.today/poroshenko-orders-to-deploy-up-to-1-000-police-officers-to-odessa/
“The president has ordered the chief of national police and the head of the National Guard to send to Odessa additional units of up to 1,000 people to maintain pubic order in the city,” Saakashvili wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Odessa region governor warned Poroshenko about the danger of the country’s split and called on the authorities to send units of the National Guard to the territory of the region.
Saakashvili’s statement came after riots early on Tuesday outside the Odessa city council where a group of unknown men attacked activists demanding the resignation of the city mayor Gennady Trukhanov. Police managed to end the riots and arrested five people for hooliganism.
The governor said the incident occurred due to the unsatisfactory work of Ukraine’s Security Service accusing its staff of attempting to discredit the team of reformers and collecting data against Saakashvili and others
]Azerbaijan Defense Ministry Cargo Plane Lands In Israel, Reported To Buy $5 Billion In Weapons
http://novorossia.today/azerbaijan-defense-ministry-cargo-plane-lands-israel-reported-buy-5-billion-weapons/
A large cargo plane belonging to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has landed in Israel twice in recent weeks, apparently at the Uvda military airfield in the Negev. The flights, which took off from the Azerbaijani capital Baku, occurred about two weeks ago, in the midst of the latest round of fighting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian armies in Nagorno-Karabakh, according to a publicly-accessible online flight database.
Israel and Azerbaijan have a strategic alliance going back many years. The fact that Azerbaijan is a secular Muslim republic, along with its geographical proximity to Iran, makes it very important to Israel. Azerbaijan is also one of Israel’s chief oil suppliers.
According to foreign reports, Israel has become a key supplier of arms to Azerbaijan in recent years, selling nearly $5 billion worth of weapons over the past four years. Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon visited Baku in September 2014 and discussed expanding security cooperation between the two countries.
The Ilyushin 76 cargo plane arrived in Israel on April 4 and again on April 6, according to an internet flight database. The plane, which flies under the call sign AZAF8 (Azerbaijani Air Force 8) came from the direction of Turkey, flew over Cyprus and entered Israeli airspace over Tel Aviv.
From internet sites showing the aircraft’s flight path, it appears that instead of landing at Ben-Gurion International Airport, as other planes on this flight path do, it continued east to the Jordan Valley and from there flew south toward Eilat, slowing down and lowering altitude. The plane disappeared from the screen in the area of Hatzeva in the Arava Valley, a few dozen kilometers north of Uvda military airfield.
The plane, which bears the registration number “4K-78131” on the side, has been owned by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry since September 1, 2014, according to online databases. Before that, it had been owned for five years by the Azerbaijani cargo company SilkWay, one of the largest cargo companies in Central Asia, which specializes in flying heavy machinery and spare parts for oil rigs and vehicles.
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/04/us-ukraine-partnership-threatens-new.html
April 26, 2016 will mark the 30th anniversary of the catastrophic explosion of the 4th reactor at the Chernobyl power plant, the effects of which are felt to this very day. This comes at a time when alarming news has arrived which evokes concern over the future of Ukraine’s nuclear industry.
The problems started along with the "Maidan" coup backed by the US and EU, because Washington immediately started to lobby for a large deal in its own interests, including nuclear industry projects.
The Ukrainian state enterprise Energoatom and the Westinghouse Company (US), agreed in 2014 to extend the contract to supply Ukrainian nuclear power plants with US nuclear fuel, until 2020.
But the use of US produced fuel for Soviet reactors is not compatible with their design, and violates security requirements, and could lead to disasters comparable with what happened in Chernobyl. The International Union of Veterans of Nuclear Energy and Industry (IUVNEI) issued the following statement on April 25th, that "Nuclear fuel produced by the US firm Westinghouse does not meet the technical requirements of Soviet-era reactors, and using it could cause an accident on the scale of the Chernobyl disaster, which took place on the 26th April 1986." The IUVNEI brings together more than 15,000 nuclear industry veterans from Armenia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Finland, the Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine. It was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Moscow.
Four years ago, there was a near-miss in the Ukraine, when a TVS-W unit with damaged distancing armatures, nearly experienced a significant uncontrolled release of dangerous radiation. Only by a miracle was there no disaster at the South Ukrainian nuclear power plant. But it did not prevent the signing of the agreement. A Czech nuclear power plant experienced a depressurization of fuel elements produced by Westinghouse several years ago, followed by the Czech government's abandoning the company as a fuel supplier. According to Yuri Nedashkovsky, the president of the country's state-owned nuclear utility Energoatom, on April 23th, 2014 Ukraine’s interim government ordered an allocation of 45.2 hectares of land for the construction of a nuclear waste storage site within the depopulated exclusion area around the plant of Chernobyl, between the villages of Staraya Krasnitsa, Buryakovka, Chistogalovka and Stechanka in the Kiev Region (the Central Spent Fuel Storage Project for Ukraine's VVER reactors). The fuel is to come from Khmelnitsky, Rovno and South Ukraine nuclear power plants.
At present, used fuel is mostly transported to a new dry-storage facility at the Zheleznogorsk Mining and Chemical Factory in the Krasnoyarsk region, and storage and reprocessing plant Mayak in the Chelyabinsk region; the both facilities are situated in the Russian Federation.
In 2003, Ukraine started to look for alternatives to the Russian storage units. In December 2005, Energoatom signed a 127.8 million euro agreement with the US-based Holtec International to implement the Central Spent Fuel Storage Project for Ukraine's VVER reactors. Holtec's work involved design, licensing, construction, commissioning of the facility, and the supply of transport and vertical ventilated dry storage systems for used VVER nuclear fuel. By the end of 2011 Holtec International had to close its office in Kiev as it had come under harsh criticism worldwide. It is widely believed that the company has lost licenses in some countries because of the poor quality of its containers resulting in radiation leaks. Westinghouse and Holtec are members of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC). Morgan Williams, President/CEO of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, has worked in Ukraine since the 1990's.
"Today is one of the most important days since Ukraine's independence as the efforts of these two internationally known companies will go a long way to assuring that Ukraine has greater energy independence," he said at the ceremony devoted to Westinghouse Electric Company and Holtec International signing contracts with Ukraine. The President of USUBC added, "This is made more important by the fact that for Ukraine, energy and political independence are closely interdependent. I join all of the USUBC members in toasting the success of these two great member companies, as we all work to assist Ukraine on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration and a strong democratic, private market driven nationhood."
Morgan Williams is known as a lobbyist representing the interests of Shell, Chevron and ExxonMobil in Ukraine. He has direct links with Freedom House which is involved in staging “color revolutions” in Eurasia, North Africa and Latin America.
One more interesting fact to be mentioned here. In Spring 2014 it was reported that according to covert agreements reached between Ukraine’s interim government and its European partners, the nuclear waste coming from EU member states would be stored in Ukraine. Being in violation of the law, the deal is kept secret. Some high standing officials in Kiev were remunerated. It is said that Alexander Musychko (Sashko Biliy), a prominent nationalist from Rovno, tried to blackmail the Kiev rulers threatening to make the conspiracy public. That’s why he was killed, on the orders of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Arsen Avakov.
US is the main manager of the self-isolation of the Ukrainian regime from Russia, which has greatly impacted cooperation between two countries, as well as in the area of nuclear security. The administration of the Chernobyl nuclear plant has stated clearly that the process is going in wrong way.
Kiev deputy: Yatsenyuk has left for Argentina
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/04/kiev-deputy-yatsenyuk-has-left-for.html
In the Verkhovna Rada, journalists reported that Yatsenyuk had left the Ukrainian capital. Deputy Sergey Kaplin stated that the former prime minister is currently in Latin America.
“According to my information, Arseniy Yatsenyuk has flown to Argentina either on a business trip, vacation, or for escaping - I don’t know. It is also unknown when he will return,” Kaplin reported.
All Talk and No Walk: Poroshenko Promises, But Fails to Deliver
http://sputniknews.com/politics/20160427/1038720071/president-poroshenko-failed-promises.html
This article remembers Poroshenko's past promises and analyzes whether the Ukrainian president kept true to his words.
Roshen Poroshenko is known as the owner of Roshen, the large-scale confectionary company from where he gained the nickname "Chocolate King." During the 2014 Presidential election, Poroshenko promised to "get rid" of his private assets and sell Roshen if elected.
"If I'm elected as a President of Ukraine, I would play fair and sell Roshen. As President I want to and will care only about the well-being of Ukraine," the oligarch said.
He did end up getting elected as the president, but as the time went on Poroshenko seemed not too eager to get rid of his candy business. A year after the election, when asked about his promise, Poroshenko claimed he couldn't sell Roshen because nobody wanted to buy his company.
It's been two years since Poroshenko was elected and he still owns the candy enterprise. Too sweet to get rid of, it seems.
Moreover, the recently leaked Panama Papers showed Poroshenko had moved his company's assets to the British Virgin Islands two months after the 2014 election, thus hiding his company's profits and evading taxes while serving as the president, which goes in a direct violation of the Ukrainian constitution. Amusingly, the latest news about Poroshenko's offshore deeds came out while his government was campaigning against offshore companies. (Article continues,)
Poroshenko orders to deploy up to 1,000 police officers to Odessa
http://novorossia.today/poroshenko-orders-to-deploy-up-to-1-000-police-officers-to-odessa/
“The president has ordered the chief of national police and the head of the National Guard to send to Odessa additional units of up to 1,000 people to maintain pubic order in the city,” Saakashvili wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Odessa region governor warned Poroshenko about the danger of the country’s split and called on the authorities to send units of the National Guard to the territory of the region.
Saakashvili’s statement came after riots early on Tuesday outside the Odessa city council where a group of unknown men attacked activists demanding the resignation of the city mayor Gennady Trukhanov. Police managed to end the riots and arrested five people for hooliganism.
The governor said the incident occurred due to the unsatisfactory work of Ukraine’s Security Service accusing its staff of attempting to discredit the team of reformers and collecting data against Saakashvili and others
]Azerbaijan Defense Ministry Cargo Plane Lands In Israel, Reported To Buy $5 Billion In Weapons
http://novorossia.today/azerbaijan-defense-ministry-cargo-plane-lands-israel-reported-buy-5-billion-weapons/
A large cargo plane belonging to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has landed in Israel twice in recent weeks, apparently at the Uvda military airfield in the Negev. The flights, which took off from the Azerbaijani capital Baku, occurred about two weeks ago, in the midst of the latest round of fighting between the Azerbaijani and Armenian armies in Nagorno-Karabakh, according to a publicly-accessible online flight database.
Israel and Azerbaijan have a strategic alliance going back many years. The fact that Azerbaijan is a secular Muslim republic, along with its geographical proximity to Iran, makes it very important to Israel. Azerbaijan is also one of Israel’s chief oil suppliers.
According to foreign reports, Israel has become a key supplier of arms to Azerbaijan in recent years, selling nearly $5 billion worth of weapons over the past four years. Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon visited Baku in September 2014 and discussed expanding security cooperation between the two countries.
The Ilyushin 76 cargo plane arrived in Israel on April 4 and again on April 6, according to an internet flight database. The plane, which flies under the call sign AZAF8 (Azerbaijani Air Force 8) came from the direction of Turkey, flew over Cyprus and entered Israeli airspace over Tel Aviv.
From internet sites showing the aircraft’s flight path, it appears that instead of landing at Ben-Gurion International Airport, as other planes on this flight path do, it continued east to the Jordan Valley and from there flew south toward Eilat, slowing down and lowering altitude. The plane disappeared from the screen in the area of Hatzeva in the Arava Valley, a few dozen kilometers north of Uvda military airfield.
The plane, which bears the registration number “4K-78131” on the side, has been owned by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry since September 1, 2014, according to online databases. Before that, it had been owned for five years by the Azerbaijani cargo company SilkWay, one of the largest cargo companies in Central Asia, which specializes in flying heavy machinery and spare parts for oil rigs and vehicles.
angelburst29 said:
I'm not quoting it all, just thinking about what you are saying; interesting possibilities. Then there was an earlier question of Westinghouse and fuel rod incompatibility - is this MOX? Have not looked into this yet. I realize though that there is a lot going on in Ukraine on the electrical energy grid - deals with Poland that rely on coal fired plants, which of course the coal is in Donbass - so a problem. As for reactors, here is a link to what is alleged to be going on at various levels - saved a copy to review for later. http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-t-z/ukraine.aspx
Coal fired power - snip said:
Nuclear fired - snip said:
Lot of information on this link to sift through, yet it seems there are many foreign hands involved including debts owed and financed.
The previously mentioned report about the mysterious "virus" makes me suspicious with all nuclear bungling that's going on.
Deadly virus leaked from US laboratory in Donbass - DPR Army and Intelligence
I am just wondering if the "virus" is not just a cover-up for radiation posioning:
mayoclinic.org
Deadly virus leaked from US laboratory in Donbass - DPR Army and Intelligence
I am just wondering if the "virus" is not just a cover-up for radiation posioning:
mayoclinic.org
Signs and symptoms of radiation sickness
Why would they be conveniently experimenting with a California Flu virus anyway? Now I see one reason why Ukrainian troops and ISIS troops are deserting since it seems they are not really that highly valued. |
sToRmR1dR said:
OSCE confirms Elenovka shelling came from UAF direction
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/04/osce-confirms-elenovka-shelling-came.html
Translated by J. Arnoldski
_http://rusvesna.su/news/1461835051
angelburst29 said:
Saakashvili said on arrival in Odessa 300 fighters "Azov
http://ria.ru/world/20160428/1422062890.html
angelburst29
The Living Force
voyageur said:
Along with what has been going on with the Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant, consider these recent developments, that might reflect U.S. intervention, so as to rule out Russia dominating the Nuclear Sector in that part of the World?
German Nuclear Power Plant Shut Down due to Malware On Chernobyl’s 30th Anniversary
http://www.techworm.net/2016/04/german-nuclear-power-plant-shut-due-malware-chernobyls-30th-anniversary.html
A computer virus was discovered at the Gundremmingen nuclear power plant in Bavaria, according to the German BR24 News Agency. The malware was discovered at the nuclear power plant’s Block B IT network that handles the fuel handling system. RWE, who is in charge of the plant shut down the power plant for precaution.
Based on the initial assessment conducted by the experts, the virus has not affected any important parts of the power plant and wouldn’t pose any major threat. The malware affected only the computer IT systems and not the ICS/SCADA equipment that interacts with the nuclear fuel.
The audit revealed that, unlike Stuxnet, the virus wasn’t created to target power plants but was a more commonly seen variant.
“After the discovery of malicious software on a computer in Gundremmingen emphasizes the operator, the control of sensitive areas was not affected. A computerized expert hand warns of belittling: viruses could jeopardize the data security of the NPP,” states a post published by BR24.
And here:
German nuclear plant in Bavaria infected with malware, logins compromised
https://www.rt.com/news/341083-germany-gundremmingen-plant-virus/
27 Apr, 2016 - Several computer viruses have been detected in a German nuclear power plant in Bavaria, the station operator said. The malware can steal login credentials and allow a remote attacker to access the cracked computer.
The incident took place at Gundremmingen plant about 100km from Munich.
“In Gundremmingen nuclear power plant so-called office-malware has been found during … testing work in Unit B,” a statement released by the power plant said.
Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) was immediately informed.
The statement initially didn’t mention what kind of malware was involved, only saying this software has been “known for a few years” and is designed to make “an unwanted connection to the internet.”
Later, RWE, a German electric utilities company that runs the plant, confirmed to Reuters the viruses include “W32.Ramnit” and “Conficker”. They were found in a computer system retrofitted in 2008 with data visualization software.
The worms were also found in at least 18 removable data drives, mainly in USB sticks and office computers maintained separately from the plant system, the company added.
RWE claims the incident poses no threat to the plant, its personnel or the environment.
According to data from Symantec, an American technology company, W32.Ramnit is a worm that spreads through removable drives and can steal login credentials. “The worm also functions as a back door allowing a remote attacker to access the compromised computer,” the firm said.
Conficker can disable several important Windows services and security products, according to information from Microsoft.
There was a major accident in Gundremmingen nuclear plant in 1977. Its Unit A suffered a rapid shutdown of the reactor due to poor weather conditions, which led to operational errors. Unit A remains out of service.
Germany urges Belgium to shut nuclear reactors temporarily
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36090821
The two ageing Doel 3 and Tihange 2 reactors were taken offline in 2012 when defects were found in the walls of the reactors' pressure vessels.
They were restarted late last year amid concern in the Netherlands and Germany.
Belgium's authorities have rejected the German request, saying there is no need "from a nuclear safety point of view".
Ms Hendricks called for the reactors to be taken offline in response to a report by Germany's independent Reactor Safety Commission.
She said that "on the one hand [the report] says there are no concrete indications that the reactor pressure vessels will not resist the strain; but on the other hand they say you cannot, according to today's knowledge, be sure that they'll resist every possible strain. And that's why we need further investigation."
'Surprise' Germany aims to turn off all its nuclear reactors by 2022 and there are particular worries in the south-west of the country about the safety of Belgium's Tihange plant, some 60km (38 miles) from the German border.
Two states, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland Palatinate, have said they will take legal action against Belgian plans to extend the life of the two reactors until 2025.
Dutch politicians have also expressed concerns about the safety of the Doel plant, which was opened close to the border in the mid-1970s and has four ageing reactors. Its oldest reactor was briefly taken offline last week.
But Belgium's Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) reacted to Ms Hendricks's request with surprise.
The agency said a fortnight ago it had met German experts who had not raised any new issues. It said it was still convinced there was "no need to shut down these units" and its conclusions had not changed.
Belgium's nuclear difficulties
Belgium has two nuclear plants at Doel, near the port of Antwerp, and at Tihange near LiegeThey have a total of seven reactors, which produce around 60% of the country's energy needsOne of Doel's four reactors, Doel 4, was hit by an unresolved case of sabotageDoel 3, was shut down for 21 months after the discovery of micro-cracks in the reactor's pressure vesselsA few days after being restarted, Doel 3 was shut down again on 31 December 2015 after a water leak was foundAt Tihange, a fire started in the electricity supply system on 27 DecemberMicro-cracks were also found in the pressure vessels of a Tihange reactor
Contact Group agrees full ceasefire in Donbass starting April 30 midnight — OSCE
http://tass.ru/en/world/873395
Donetsk Blog, April 29: Children Evacuated - Civilian Human Shields - Civilians Deliberately Attacked
http://russia-insider.com/en/donetsk-blog-april-29-attack-unarmed-locality-pregnant-woman-killed-children-evacuated/ri14134
http://tass.ru/en/world/873395
Donetsk Blog, April 29: Children Evacuated - Civilian Human Shields - Civilians Deliberately Attacked
http://russia-insider.com/en/donetsk-blog-april-29-attack-unarmed-locality-pregnant-woman-killed-children-evacuated/ri14134
angelburst29
The Living Force
Ukrainian media: Akhmetov sent Yatsenyuk to Moscow
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/04/ukrainian-media-akhmetov-sent-yatsenyuk.html
The publication “nedelya.ua” has reported that a number of Ukrainian media citing sources close to the Ukrainian presidential administration have released information that the former prime minister of Ukraine, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, was in Moscow incognito from April 19-22, where he met with officials of the Russian Federation.
The newspaper “Izvestiya v Ukraine” has particularly written about this.
The initiator and organizer of such meetings is supposedly the Ukrainian oligarch and owner of the SKM company, Rinat Akhmetov who has close contacts with the Russian side.
The businessman supposedly brought Yatsenyuk to Russia so that he could tell of the corruption schemes of Poroshenko and other Ukrainian officials, as well as about the details of the Maidan in 2014 which led to the overthrow of Viktor Yanukovich.
In exchange for organizing these meetings, Akhmetov intends to demand that the Russian presidential administration to guarantee his enterprises currently located on the territory of the DPR and LPR, Ukrainian media write.
Zakharchenko: Elenovka tragedy was the result of Nuland's visit to Kiev
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/04/zakharchenko-elenovka-tragedy-was.html
“The result of Nuland’s visit to Kiev and her contact with Poroshenko was none other than the shelling of Elenovka,” he said, adding that Kiev has thus shown that it does not intend to comply with its obligations according to the Minsk Agreements.
“The UAF’s shelling of Elenovka was addressed primarily to America. Ukraine does not want to pass the laws which they are obliged to according to the Minsk Agreements, such as the law on elections to local self-government bodies, the special status, and a new Constitution. For them, this equates to death. Therefore, I want to say to the leaders of the USA and Europe: if you want to have a hand-puppet, at least keep it in its booth and let it sit there. Otherwise, he’ll bite you,” Zakharchenko concluded.
Killer Revealed Preparation Details of Assassination Attempt on Zakharchenko (Video)
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/04/killer-revealed-preparation-details-of.html
Maksim Terentyev, who was supposed to eliminate the head of the DPR Alexander Zakharchenko, spoke about the details of the preparation for the assassination during the interrogation. Lifenews has obtained a copy of the video of the interrogation of the killer. According to Terentyev, he was recruited by the staff of SBU in February 2015. Until April 2016, he was engaged in collecting information on the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic, and in April, he was set the task of removing Zakharchenko.
"I was recruited by the staff of the SBU in Artemovsk in February 2015. To this day, I performed the task of information gathering on the territory of the DPR. In April 2016, I received the task from the staff of SBU on the elimination of the head of the DPR - Zakharchenko. The SBU prepared and camouflaged an explosive device in the form of domestic furniture, which was given to me in the city of Donetsk," said Maksim Terentyev.
"I had to place this device in the "Artemida" shooting complex. According to the SBU, this complex is frequently visited by the head of the DPR - Zakharchenko. I was promised a reward to the amount of $100,000 for the completion of the attack," he added.
Earlier, representatives of the Ministry of State Security of the DPR stated that the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko gave the order to eliminate the head of the DPR Alexander Zakharchenko.
Poroshenko ordered to kill DPR’s leader Zaharchenko
http://novorossia.today/poroshenko-ordered-to-kill-dprs-leader-zaharchenko/
He said the attempt had been plotted by “Ukraine’s Security Service officers,” the Donetsk News Agency quoted him as saying.
“I will ask the DPR ministry of state security and prosecutor general’s office to open a criminal case against Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. All who are responsible for unleashing a war in Donbass should get what they deserve,” he said.
Zakharchenko also said he will initiate opening criminal cases against secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Alexander Turchinov and former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk
US Congressmen Propose Bill to Bind Crimea Status to Anti-Russian Sanctions
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160430/1038898034/us-russia-sanctions-crimea.html
Members of the US Congress Eliot Engel and Adam Kinzinger have introduced a bill offering to strictly bind the authority of the US president in lifting the sanctions against Russia to the Crimea status, a press-release by the US Congress said.
The legislation, dubbed the Stability and Democracy (STAND) for Ukraine Act, was announced on April 29.
According to the proposal the sanctions against Moscow can be lifted if the US Congress gives the president confirmation of restoration of sovereignty of Ukraine over the Crimea or if peninsula status is resolved within the established procedures of international law and recognized by the Ukrainian government.
Sanctions? What Sanctions? German Company to Help Build Bridge to Crimea
http://sputniknews.com/business/20160329/1037145475/german-company-crimea-bridge.html
Karst LLC is a St. Petersburg-based company and one of the subcontractors working on a monumental construction project – the building of a bridge across the Kerch Strain, which will connect the Crimean Peninsula to Russia’s mainland.
What makes this particular subcontractor stand out, however, is the fact that, according to RBC news agency, 100 percent of the company’s shares are owned by Adler Global – a German enterprise registered in the municipality of Kaltenholzhausen.
This development may be considered yet another sign that German business circles are tired of the counterproductive anti-Russian sanctions policy that has been adopted by the EU, and seek to do business with their Russian counterparts when opportunities arise.
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/04/ukrainian-media-akhmetov-sent-yatsenyuk.html
The publication “nedelya.ua” has reported that a number of Ukrainian media citing sources close to the Ukrainian presidential administration have released information that the former prime minister of Ukraine, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, was in Moscow incognito from April 19-22, where he met with officials of the Russian Federation.
The newspaper “Izvestiya v Ukraine” has particularly written about this.
The initiator and organizer of such meetings is supposedly the Ukrainian oligarch and owner of the SKM company, Rinat Akhmetov who has close contacts with the Russian side.
The businessman supposedly brought Yatsenyuk to Russia so that he could tell of the corruption schemes of Poroshenko and other Ukrainian officials, as well as about the details of the Maidan in 2014 which led to the overthrow of Viktor Yanukovich.
In exchange for organizing these meetings, Akhmetov intends to demand that the Russian presidential administration to guarantee his enterprises currently located on the territory of the DPR and LPR, Ukrainian media write.
Zakharchenko: Elenovka tragedy was the result of Nuland's visit to Kiev
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/04/zakharchenko-elenovka-tragedy-was.html
“The result of Nuland’s visit to Kiev and her contact with Poroshenko was none other than the shelling of Elenovka,” he said, adding that Kiev has thus shown that it does not intend to comply with its obligations according to the Minsk Agreements.
“The UAF’s shelling of Elenovka was addressed primarily to America. Ukraine does not want to pass the laws which they are obliged to according to the Minsk Agreements, such as the law on elections to local self-government bodies, the special status, and a new Constitution. For them, this equates to death. Therefore, I want to say to the leaders of the USA and Europe: if you want to have a hand-puppet, at least keep it in its booth and let it sit there. Otherwise, he’ll bite you,” Zakharchenko concluded.
Killer Revealed Preparation Details of Assassination Attempt on Zakharchenko (Video)
http://www.fort-russ.com/2016/04/killer-revealed-preparation-details-of.html
Maksim Terentyev, who was supposed to eliminate the head of the DPR Alexander Zakharchenko, spoke about the details of the preparation for the assassination during the interrogation. Lifenews has obtained a copy of the video of the interrogation of the killer. According to Terentyev, he was recruited by the staff of SBU in February 2015. Until April 2016, he was engaged in collecting information on the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic, and in April, he was set the task of removing Zakharchenko.
"I was recruited by the staff of the SBU in Artemovsk in February 2015. To this day, I performed the task of information gathering on the territory of the DPR. In April 2016, I received the task from the staff of SBU on the elimination of the head of the DPR - Zakharchenko. The SBU prepared and camouflaged an explosive device in the form of domestic furniture, which was given to me in the city of Donetsk," said Maksim Terentyev.
"I had to place this device in the "Artemida" shooting complex. According to the SBU, this complex is frequently visited by the head of the DPR - Zakharchenko. I was promised a reward to the amount of $100,000 for the completion of the attack," he added.
Earlier, representatives of the Ministry of State Security of the DPR stated that the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko gave the order to eliminate the head of the DPR Alexander Zakharchenko.
Poroshenko ordered to kill DPR’s leader Zaharchenko
http://novorossia.today/poroshenko-ordered-to-kill-dprs-leader-zaharchenko/
He said the attempt had been plotted by “Ukraine’s Security Service officers,” the Donetsk News Agency quoted him as saying.
“I will ask the DPR ministry of state security and prosecutor general’s office to open a criminal case against Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. All who are responsible for unleashing a war in Donbass should get what they deserve,” he said.
Zakharchenko also said he will initiate opening criminal cases against secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Alexander Turchinov and former Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk
US Congressmen Propose Bill to Bind Crimea Status to Anti-Russian Sanctions
http://sputniknews.com/world/20160430/1038898034/us-russia-sanctions-crimea.html
Members of the US Congress Eliot Engel and Adam Kinzinger have introduced a bill offering to strictly bind the authority of the US president in lifting the sanctions against Russia to the Crimea status, a press-release by the US Congress said.
The legislation, dubbed the Stability and Democracy (STAND) for Ukraine Act, was announced on April 29.
According to the proposal the sanctions against Moscow can be lifted if the US Congress gives the president confirmation of restoration of sovereignty of Ukraine over the Crimea or if peninsula status is resolved within the established procedures of international law and recognized by the Ukrainian government.
Sanctions? What Sanctions? German Company to Help Build Bridge to Crimea
http://sputniknews.com/business/20160329/1037145475/german-company-crimea-bridge.html
Karst LLC is a St. Petersburg-based company and one of the subcontractors working on a monumental construction project – the building of a bridge across the Kerch Strain, which will connect the Crimean Peninsula to Russia’s mainland.
What makes this particular subcontractor stand out, however, is the fact that, according to RBC news agency, 100 percent of the company’s shares are owned by Adler Global – a German enterprise registered in the municipality of Kaltenholzhausen.
This development may be considered yet another sign that German business circles are tired of the counterproductive anti-Russian sanctions policy that has been adopted by the EU, and seek to do business with their Russian counterparts when opportunities arise.
angelburst29 said:
I see this is up on SoTT https://www.sott.net/article/317434-Revenge-of-the-Yats-Ukrainian-media-say-Yatsenyuk-sent-to-Moscow-to-spill-the-beans-about-Poroshenko-Maidan
Rinat Akhmetov is interesting, with a number of wiki-accusations leveled against him; perhaps some are true or not. Notice that he has stakes in power generation. He was born in Donetsk with both father and brother as miners of coal, so it makes sense that he shares concerns over that region as well as having stable sources of coal for his ventures. There were accidents in a couple of coal mines his companies owned, and they paid out to the families.
Yats in Russia is strange though.
Two years since Odessa massacre: speculations and absence of court rulings
http://tass.ru/en/world/873611
People bring flowers to Odessa’s Kulikovo Field to pay homage to May 2 tragedy victims
http://tass.ru/en/world/873619
Three grenades found near Odessa’s Kulikovo Field — Ukrainian Interior Ministry
http://tass.ru/en/world/873620
Remembrance action for victims of May 2, 2014 massacre held in Odessa
http://tass.ru/en/world/873636
Ukrainian army shells Donetsk republic 27 times over past 24 hours — Defense Ministry
http://tass.ru/en/world/873632
http://tass.ru/en/world/873611
People bring flowers to Odessa’s Kulikovo Field to pay homage to May 2 tragedy victims
http://tass.ru/en/world/873619
Three grenades found near Odessa’s Kulikovo Field — Ukrainian Interior Ministry
http://tass.ru/en/world/873620
Remembrance action for victims of May 2, 2014 massacre held in Odessa
http://tass.ru/en/world/873636
Ukrainian army shells Donetsk republic 27 times over past 24 hours — Defense Ministry
http://tass.ru/en/world/873632
angelburst29
The Living Force
sToRmR1dR said:
May 2 in Odessa: The Massacre Which Sparked Wider Civil War in East Ukraine
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160502/1038948690/ukraine-civil-war-started-in-odessa.html
On Monday, Odessa is on lockdown. Regional governor Mikheil Saakashvili deployed nearly 3,000 police officers and National Guard members in the city, ostensibly in order to 'maintain order' in the city on the 2nd anniversary of the massacre of anti-Maidan activists. The deployed National Guard units include 300 members of the notorious neo-fascist Azov Regiment, which has been accused of war crimes in eastern Ukraine.
The situation is tense. The local police press service released a statement Monday morning saying that they had found an explosive device in the city's center, and detained the person who allegedly planted it. The 'explosive device' appears to have turned out to be a smoke bomb.
At the same time, Russian news agency RIA Novosti has reported that people arriving at the site of the tragedy at Kulikovo Field to lay flowers to the dead have been hampered by police, who cordoned off the area and haven't allowed mourners to get through.
City and regional authorities have a lot to be nervous about. Two years after the tragedy, a proper investigation into the events still hasn't concluded, and charges still haven't been laid against thugs who burned dozens of protesters alive, despite abundant video and photo evidence, most of it now publically available online.
Ukraine Bans Eight Reporters From Covering Odessa Massacre Anniversary
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160502/1038957816/ukraine-odessa-ban.html
Eight foreign reporters were prohibited from entering the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa to cover the events commemorating the second anniversary of the massacre in the city, a lawyer representing one of the people accused of involvement in the deadly events said Monday.
"About eight journalists were not allowed to enter [the city]," Kirill Shevchuk told RIA Novosti. He added that the reporters, including those from Poland, France, the Netherlands and Germany, were turned back at passport control in Odessa's airport.
Dozens Rally in Berlin to Commemorate 2nd Anniversary of Odessa Massacre
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160502/1038955877/berlin-odessa-rally-massacre.html
About 50 people gathered on Monday in the central part of Berlin to participate in a rally commemorating the second anniversary of the deadly fire in the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.
Representatives of human rights groups from both Germany and Ukraine, as well as Odesa's residents and journalists gathered near the Brandenburg Gate.
The demonstrators called for a full-scale investigation into the arson and condemned the Monday decision of Odesa's authorities to block the access to the tragedy site for the people, who wanted to commemorate the victims due to an alleged bomb threat.
Vienna Rally to Remember Victims of Deadly Odessa Arson
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160502/1038951095/vienna-odessa-remembrance-event.html
A rally commemorating the deadly May 2014 Odessa fire will be held Monday in Austria’s capital Vienna, a member of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) said.
May 2 marks two years since a fire at the House of Trade Unions in Odessa, Ukraine killed 48 anti-Kiev activists and wounded over 250.
A special event will be held in Vienna this afternoon," WFTU Austria member Oliver Jonischkeit said at a memorial service in Lugansk, eastern Ukraine. "Our colleagues in Austria will remember the victims of fascism and those who perished during the tragic events in Odessa."
The rally will take place near the Monument Against War and Fascism on Albertinaplatz in central Vienna. Jonischkeit said they planned to make it an annual event.
Ukraine’s Breakaway Region Lugansk Marks Two Years Since Odessa Massacre
http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160502/1038946446/ukraine-odessa-lugansk.html
The victims of the May 2, 2014 attack in the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa were remembered Monday at an event in the breakaway Lugansk region.
The memorial service called "Memory Candle" was attended by Igor Plotnitsky, the leader of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic, who condemned the government in Kiev over its alleged involvement in the killings of 48 people who burned to death in Odessa's House of Trade Unions.
"Today, we commemorate our people who were burned in Odessa. This fire consumed not only our people but also the independent Ukraine, because a state that burns its own people cannot belong to the people or defend their rights," Plotnitsky said.
Citizens of Odessa and Donetsk visited new exhibition in the DPR’s capital dedicated to events of 2nd May 2014 (Photos)
http://novorossia.today/116703-2/
angelburst29
The Living Force
Putin approves simplified procedure of issuing residence permits to refugees from Ukraine
http://novorossia.today/putin-approves-simplified-procedure-of-issuing-residence-permits-to-refugees-from-ukraine/
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a law on simplified procedure of issuing residence permits to refugees from Ukraine and other countries. A relevant document was posted on Sunday on the official internet portal of legal information.
Under the amendments to the Russian law on the legal status of foreign citizens in Russia, foreigners having a refugee status and joining the program of voluntary resettlement to Russia and members of their families may be granted a resident permit skipping the sojourn permit stage, which allows temporary residence in Russia for a term of one year.
According to acting chief of Russia’s Federal Migration Service Yekaterina Yegorova, a residence permit grants its holders the right to be allocated housing, to be registered at their domiciles and obtain mortgage loans. The residence permit will be issued for the term of the certificate of a participant in the state program, she added.
According to the Federal Migration Service, a total of 165,461 people joined the state program for resettling in Russia in 2015. By now, this figure has reached 193,000 peopl.
The law will come into force 90 days after its publication.
President: South Ossetia plans to hold referendum on becoming part of Russia before August
http://tass.ru/en/world/868630
South Ossetia plans to hold a referendum on whether to become part of the Russian Federation before August, the republic’s president, Leonid Tibilov, told TASS in an interview.
"We are already discussing the dates," Tibilov said. "A specific date can’t be named yet, but it will take place in the near future, we plan before August."
He explained that issues of changing a certain article of the South Ossetian constitution will be put to referendum, which will make it possible in the future to ask the Russian leadership to incorporate the republic.
"Currently, proceeding from the situation in the world, we would not like to put at serious political risks our strategic partner in the person of Russia," Tibilov said.
"So we reached the conclusion that we need to introduce changes to the current Constituion, its 10th article, which would enable the president to ask, with the approval of the republic’s parliament, the top leadership of Russia to consider the possibility of making part of the country," he said.
Article 10 of South Ossetia’s constitution says that the republic is entitled to enter into alliance with other states and hand the alliance’s bodies part of its powers.
"We plan to hold a referendum on supplementing that article with paragraphs stating that the Republic of South Ossetia is entitled to hand part of its powers to the Russian Federation," Tibilov said. "And then what I have already outlined - to give the president the opportunity to ask the Russian leadership to incorporate our republic.. as a new constituent member of Russia."
http://novorossia.today/putin-approves-simplified-procedure-of-issuing-residence-permits-to-refugees-from-ukraine/
Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a law on simplified procedure of issuing residence permits to refugees from Ukraine and other countries. A relevant document was posted on Sunday on the official internet portal of legal information.
Under the amendments to the Russian law on the legal status of foreign citizens in Russia, foreigners having a refugee status and joining the program of voluntary resettlement to Russia and members of their families may be granted a resident permit skipping the sojourn permit stage, which allows temporary residence in Russia for a term of one year.
According to acting chief of Russia’s Federal Migration Service Yekaterina Yegorova, a residence permit grants its holders the right to be allocated housing, to be registered at their domiciles and obtain mortgage loans. The residence permit will be issued for the term of the certificate of a participant in the state program, she added.
According to the Federal Migration Service, a total of 165,461 people joined the state program for resettling in Russia in 2015. By now, this figure has reached 193,000 peopl.
The law will come into force 90 days after its publication.
President: South Ossetia plans to hold referendum on becoming part of Russia before August
http://tass.ru/en/world/868630
South Ossetia plans to hold a referendum on whether to become part of the Russian Federation before August, the republic’s president, Leonid Tibilov, told TASS in an interview.
"We are already discussing the dates," Tibilov said. "A specific date can’t be named yet, but it will take place in the near future, we plan before August."
He explained that issues of changing a certain article of the South Ossetian constitution will be put to referendum, which will make it possible in the future to ask the Russian leadership to incorporate the republic.
"Currently, proceeding from the situation in the world, we would not like to put at serious political risks our strategic partner in the person of Russia," Tibilov said.
"So we reached the conclusion that we need to introduce changes to the current Constituion, its 10th article, which would enable the president to ask, with the approval of the republic’s parliament, the top leadership of Russia to consider the possibility of making part of the country," he said.
Article 10 of South Ossetia’s constitution says that the republic is entitled to enter into alliance with other states and hand the alliance’s bodies part of its powers.
"We plan to hold a referendum on supplementing that article with paragraphs stating that the Republic of South Ossetia is entitled to hand part of its powers to the Russian Federation," Tibilov said. "And then what I have already outlined - to give the president the opportunity to ask the Russian leadership to incorporate our republic.. as a new constituent member of Russia."
angelburst29
The Living Force
LPR intelligence revealed the arrival of new units from the Ukrainian Army to the contact line. This was stated today to a correspondent from the Novorossia news agency by Andrey Marochko - the official speaker of the people's militia.
Ukrainian army moves "Lugansk-1" battalion to the front Line
http://katehon.com/news/ukrainian-army-moveslugansk-1-battalion-front-line
"Our intelligence revealed that in the settlement of Stanitsa, Lugansk, a number of units from the battalion "Lugansk 1" arrived to strengthen their checkpoints. We also detected the movement of personnel and equipment along the contact line near the settlement of Staryi Aidar," he said.
"In Stanitsa, Trokhizbenka, and Schastia the arrival of the Special Operation Forces (SSO) of the UAF was observed, who's primary purpose is sabotage on the territory of the Republics - against both military facilities and civilian infrastructure," said the representative of the LPR Defense Ministry.
"This and similar facts give a pretext for the leadership of the Republic and the people's militia to remain vigilant, paying particular attention to the protection and security of the LPR, especially on the eve of Victory Day," concluded Andrey Marochko.
Polish Su-22 Fighters Arrive in Estonia to Take Part in NATO Drills
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160504/1039078468/fighters-drillsnato-estonia.html
The Spring Storm drills, which are due to run between May 2 and 20, will involve 6,000 troops, according to the Estonian military. The participants include domestic units, as well as NATO troops from a number of countries, including Belgium, Canada, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the United Kingdom and the United States.
"Four Su-22 fighters of the Polish Air Force have landed today at the Amari Air Base to participate in the 'Spring Storm' drills," the statement reads.
It was added in the statement that the Polish Air Force was participating in Estonia-hosted drills for the fourth time.
Nuland supports infamous oligarch to rule Moldova
http://katehon.com/article/nuland-supports-infamous-oligarch-rule-moldova
Victoria Nuland’s appearance alongside the controversial oligarch serves as a message from the world’s hegemon: Plahotniuc is and will be your master. It doesn’t matter what I think or what Moldovan citizens want as long as the White House is more concerned with its military games in Eastern Europe. But what does Plahotniuc want? We can assume that this figure of Moldovan politics is to become no more nor less than the president of Moldova. We must not hide behind finger-pointing and we should not be naive: the validity of any election depends on Washington’s recognition, even if the election is a big hoax.
The Central Electoral Commission is ready to arrange for 99% of votes to be in favor of the DP (Plahotniuc’s "Democratic Party") candidate, and the opposition will be unable to challenge the results since the West will recognize the “profoundly democratic character” of the election. In this case, there will be no Euromaidan in Chisinau and Victoria Nuland won’t have to distribute biscuits and urge everyone to “fight to the last drop of blood.”
How can Americans tolerate such anti-democratic meddling? It’s quite simple. The Americans have a very pragmatic and realistic nature. Such a policy of double standards can be traced back to its use in Latin America or Africa where the US supported dictatorships and criminals. It is enough to remember Anastasio Samozo Garcia, the dictator of Nicaragua, about whom Franklin D. Roosevelt once said: “Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.”
Now, the American government has no choice but to indoctrinate the population with the idea that the “Russian danger” is alive and well and that Russia represents a major problem. I would not even exclude the deliberate organization of problems by the Americans in order to “demonstrate” this line. During the previous election campaign in Moldova, I saw what the current regime is truly capable of: overnight, terrorists and an “outbreak of civil war” were invented out of thin air. One can only hope that those in power will have enough sense not to resort to bloodshed for show. The rest of the cosmetic job related to PR will be taken care of with substantial financial resources (such as pasta, buckwheat, and socks) and brainwashing by the largest media holdings.
US and NATO troops arrive in Moldova
http://katehon.com/agenda/us-and-nato-troops-arrive-moldova
A group of Moldovan citizens, along with several members of parliament from the opposition party tried to block the road. They are adamant that the military has not signed an international treaty between Moldova and the US Department of Defense. Also, no permission was given for the transportation of equipment and weapons, and 60% of soldiers have no military ID.
These exercises should be understood as another US provocation against Russia. Previously, naval maneuvers were held at the Georgian coast, where NATO troops were involved. Moldova, like Georgia, has a claim to the breakaway territories. Transnistria (TMR) hosts a military base belonging to the Russian Federation. However, it is actually landlocked, as near Ukraine there is no way to enter the territory of TMR.
Moldova is officially a neutral country, so the demonstration of military maneuvers has caused confusion among many citizens of this state. In addition, the organizers of the exercises earlier reported that on May 9th an exhibition of NATO equipment in the central square of Chisinau will take place.
On May 2nd, the joint maneuver "Arrow 16" with Finnish army units and NATO began; it will last until May 16th. For this purpose, offensive weapons and mechanized armor was used on Finnish soil.
In the near future, large-scale exercisers will take place in Poland and the Baltic countries. Such activity near the border of Russia shows the clearly hostile intentions of the United States and NATO, which will provoke a corresponding reaction from Moscow.
Moldovan president against demonstration of NATO vehicles on Victory Day
http://novorossia.today/moldovan-president-against-demonstration-of-nato-vehicles-on-victory-day/
“A joint display of US and [Moldovan] military hardware may cause negative interpretations and speculations not only in a certain segment of the population but also among Moldova’s partners who have not been invited to participate in the show,” journalists quoted the letter as saying.
Moldova’s Defense Minister Salaru said in an interview with the PRO TV television channel that the Moldovan president, who is the commander-in-chief of the Moldovan armed forces, had been informed of NATO military equipment display. “No final decision has been made as of yet. The Americans may give up the idea if the president disagrees,” the defense minister told journalists.
The US troopers and military vehicles to be involved in the Dragon Pioneer 2016 NATO exercises arrived in Moldova’s capital Chisinau the other day. The Dragon Pioneer 2016 involving 198 troopers from the US army second cavalry regiment and 58 pieces of military hardware will take place in Moldova on May 3-20.
Moldova’s parliamentary opposition displeased by the US troopers’ arrival tried to block their entry into the republic. However, the police who arrived at the spot forced the demonstrators to retreat.
In his previous interviews, Igor Dodon, the leader of the Socialist Party of Moldova, said that the Defense Ministry’s idea to organize a display of NATO military equipment was a violation of the country’s constitution, which states that Moldova is a neutral state.
“The Socialists will organize mass protest rallies against this gross infringement on the country’s neutrality. We will use all legitimate ways to defend Moldova’s statehood and will not allow NATO troops to dominate in our land. We will hold the Victory March and the Immortal Regiment March on May 9. We will carry the photos of our fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers who defeated fascism through the streets of Chisinau,” Dodon, whose Socialist Party has the biggest parliamentary faction and controls a quarter of seats in the Moldovan legislature, told TASS.
He branded those who had allowed NATO vehicles to pass through the country’s territory as traitors who should step down immediately and face trial.
The United States and NATO have stepped up military activities in Eastern Europe in recent years allegedly as a reaction to the aggravation of the Russian-Ukrainian relations. The regional states have increased their military spending several times. They constantly increase the number of troopers and weapons and hold regular maneuvers.
Nuland in Nicosia – towards “regime change” in Cyprus?
http://katehon.com/article/nuland-nicosia-towards-regime-change-cyprus
Many readers may think that what is happening in Cyprus, a small member-state of EU in Eastern Mediterranean, is of rather marginal importance. This is what mainstream media are implying by their (non) reporting on the real parameters of the Cyprus question. But, in reality the opposite is true. Cyprus, in spite of its magnitude, is too important to speak much of it!
What will happen in Cyprus during the coming months may have huge consequences for the direction both the European and the Middle Eastern crises will take in the near future. It may determine EU-Turkey relations and it will also deeply affect Greek politics and Russian interests in the Mediterranean.
Why all this? First because the “solution”, now prepared, of the Cyprus conflict is tantamount to no more, no less than the … abolition of the state in Cyprus, something which will set an example for all nation-states in Europe. To make a long story short, the Annan plan – along the same lines will be the next proposal for Cyprus - was giving ultimate power in the island to three foreign judges and to dozens of other “international officials”, appointed by the General Secretary of the UN personally (without even the consent of members of the Security Council). Those judges and other “international officials” would be able even to appoint their successors!
Whom Mr. Secretary General would appoint to run, with such monarchic powers, this small Republic? We suppose it would not be Nigeria, Vietnam or Chile which would influence his choices. It seems more probable that countries like the USA, Great Britain or Israel would do it, as they have both vital interest and the possibility to influence the decisions of any UN General Secretary.
Second, the Cyprus conflict is one of the main factors affecting the EU-Turkey relations (if Annan plan was to be applied, Ankara would be granted many of the rights of member-states much time before it becomes, if it becomes, a member-state!). And third, any resolution of the Cyprus conflict along the lines of the Annan plan would have huge strategic implications, given that Cyprus is located in one of the more strategic places on Earth.
Those factors explain why the US administration, the EU and the British government have mobilized massively in 2004 to “persuade” Cypriots to vote for the Annan plan. They created an atmosphere of fear and terror, which is the usual case in European referendums now. International and local “prestigious” commentators went public, predicting all the evils of the world, if voters decide to vote against the will of the “mighty” and the “civilized”. They paid also a lot of NGO's to make campaign for the Yes vote. The greater part of the Cypriot and Greek financial oligarchy, of the main Cypriot and Greek media and of the political establishments in both Cyprus and Greece did a massive campaign to persuade Cypriots to vote Yes.
Greek Cypriots, who are 82% of the population, had all the reasons of the world to take seriously these threats. Cyprus is a small island, a large part of which is occupied by Turkey. Turkey is a military “superpower” compared to Cyprus and Greece is too far to help it very effectively (if an Athens government decides to do it, because in the past Greek governments had not expressed such a strong will).
In spite of all this Cypriots have just rejected the Annan plan in 2004. But as Lord David Haney, the British diplomatic authority on Cyprus, has said back then, “if Cypriots reject this plan, we will put it again and again in referendum, until they vote Yes”.
Maybe the time for a new referendum, or even a crisis designed to schock the population of the island, is now approaching, after the parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of May.
Victoria Nuland has already visited Nicosia.
Ukrainian army moves "Lugansk-1" battalion to the front Line
http://katehon.com/news/ukrainian-army-moveslugansk-1-battalion-front-line
"Our intelligence revealed that in the settlement of Stanitsa, Lugansk, a number of units from the battalion "Lugansk 1" arrived to strengthen their checkpoints. We also detected the movement of personnel and equipment along the contact line near the settlement of Staryi Aidar," he said.
"In Stanitsa, Trokhizbenka, and Schastia the arrival of the Special Operation Forces (SSO) of the UAF was observed, who's primary purpose is sabotage on the territory of the Republics - against both military facilities and civilian infrastructure," said the representative of the LPR Defense Ministry.
"This and similar facts give a pretext for the leadership of the Republic and the people's militia to remain vigilant, paying particular attention to the protection and security of the LPR, especially on the eve of Victory Day," concluded Andrey Marochko.
Polish Su-22 Fighters Arrive in Estonia to Take Part in NATO Drills
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160504/1039078468/fighters-drillsnato-estonia.html
The Spring Storm drills, which are due to run between May 2 and 20, will involve 6,000 troops, according to the Estonian military. The participants include domestic units, as well as NATO troops from a number of countries, including Belgium, Canada, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the United Kingdom and the United States.
"Four Su-22 fighters of the Polish Air Force have landed today at the Amari Air Base to participate in the 'Spring Storm' drills," the statement reads.
It was added in the statement that the Polish Air Force was participating in Estonia-hosted drills for the fourth time.
Nuland supports infamous oligarch to rule Moldova
http://katehon.com/article/nuland-supports-infamous-oligarch-rule-moldova
Victoria Nuland’s appearance alongside the controversial oligarch serves as a message from the world’s hegemon: Plahotniuc is and will be your master. It doesn’t matter what I think or what Moldovan citizens want as long as the White House is more concerned with its military games in Eastern Europe. But what does Plahotniuc want? We can assume that this figure of Moldovan politics is to become no more nor less than the president of Moldova. We must not hide behind finger-pointing and we should not be naive: the validity of any election depends on Washington’s recognition, even if the election is a big hoax.
The Central Electoral Commission is ready to arrange for 99% of votes to be in favor of the DP (Plahotniuc’s "Democratic Party") candidate, and the opposition will be unable to challenge the results since the West will recognize the “profoundly democratic character” of the election. In this case, there will be no Euromaidan in Chisinau and Victoria Nuland won’t have to distribute biscuits and urge everyone to “fight to the last drop of blood.”
How can Americans tolerate such anti-democratic meddling? It’s quite simple. The Americans have a very pragmatic and realistic nature. Such a policy of double standards can be traced back to its use in Latin America or Africa where the US supported dictatorships and criminals. It is enough to remember Anastasio Samozo Garcia, the dictator of Nicaragua, about whom Franklin D. Roosevelt once said: “Somoza may be a son of a bitch, but he’s our son of a bitch.”
Now, the American government has no choice but to indoctrinate the population with the idea that the “Russian danger” is alive and well and that Russia represents a major problem. I would not even exclude the deliberate organization of problems by the Americans in order to “demonstrate” this line. During the previous election campaign in Moldova, I saw what the current regime is truly capable of: overnight, terrorists and an “outbreak of civil war” were invented out of thin air. One can only hope that those in power will have enough sense not to resort to bloodshed for show. The rest of the cosmetic job related to PR will be taken care of with substantial financial resources (such as pasta, buckwheat, and socks) and brainwashing by the largest media holdings.
US and NATO troops arrive in Moldova
http://katehon.com/agenda/us-and-nato-troops-arrive-moldova
A group of Moldovan citizens, along with several members of parliament from the opposition party tried to block the road. They are adamant that the military has not signed an international treaty between Moldova and the US Department of Defense. Also, no permission was given for the transportation of equipment and weapons, and 60% of soldiers have no military ID.
These exercises should be understood as another US provocation against Russia. Previously, naval maneuvers were held at the Georgian coast, where NATO troops were involved. Moldova, like Georgia, has a claim to the breakaway territories. Transnistria (TMR) hosts a military base belonging to the Russian Federation. However, it is actually landlocked, as near Ukraine there is no way to enter the territory of TMR.
Moldova is officially a neutral country, so the demonstration of military maneuvers has caused confusion among many citizens of this state. In addition, the organizers of the exercises earlier reported that on May 9th an exhibition of NATO equipment in the central square of Chisinau will take place.
On May 2nd, the joint maneuver "Arrow 16" with Finnish army units and NATO began; it will last until May 16th. For this purpose, offensive weapons and mechanized armor was used on Finnish soil.
In the near future, large-scale exercisers will take place in Poland and the Baltic countries. Such activity near the border of Russia shows the clearly hostile intentions of the United States and NATO, which will provoke a corresponding reaction from Moscow.
Moldovan president against demonstration of NATO vehicles on Victory Day
http://novorossia.today/moldovan-president-against-demonstration-of-nato-vehicles-on-victory-day/
“A joint display of US and [Moldovan] military hardware may cause negative interpretations and speculations not only in a certain segment of the population but also among Moldova’s partners who have not been invited to participate in the show,” journalists quoted the letter as saying.
Moldova’s Defense Minister Salaru said in an interview with the PRO TV television channel that the Moldovan president, who is the commander-in-chief of the Moldovan armed forces, had been informed of NATO military equipment display. “No final decision has been made as of yet. The Americans may give up the idea if the president disagrees,” the defense minister told journalists.
The US troopers and military vehicles to be involved in the Dragon Pioneer 2016 NATO exercises arrived in Moldova’s capital Chisinau the other day. The Dragon Pioneer 2016 involving 198 troopers from the US army second cavalry regiment and 58 pieces of military hardware will take place in Moldova on May 3-20.
Moldova’s parliamentary opposition displeased by the US troopers’ arrival tried to block their entry into the republic. However, the police who arrived at the spot forced the demonstrators to retreat.
In his previous interviews, Igor Dodon, the leader of the Socialist Party of Moldova, said that the Defense Ministry’s idea to organize a display of NATO military equipment was a violation of the country’s constitution, which states that Moldova is a neutral state.
“The Socialists will organize mass protest rallies against this gross infringement on the country’s neutrality. We will use all legitimate ways to defend Moldova’s statehood and will not allow NATO troops to dominate in our land. We will hold the Victory March and the Immortal Regiment March on May 9. We will carry the photos of our fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers who defeated fascism through the streets of Chisinau,” Dodon, whose Socialist Party has the biggest parliamentary faction and controls a quarter of seats in the Moldovan legislature, told TASS.
He branded those who had allowed NATO vehicles to pass through the country’s territory as traitors who should step down immediately and face trial.
The United States and NATO have stepped up military activities in Eastern Europe in recent years allegedly as a reaction to the aggravation of the Russian-Ukrainian relations. The regional states have increased their military spending several times. They constantly increase the number of troopers and weapons and hold regular maneuvers.
Nuland in Nicosia – towards “regime change” in Cyprus?
http://katehon.com/article/nuland-nicosia-towards-regime-change-cyprus
Many readers may think that what is happening in Cyprus, a small member-state of EU in Eastern Mediterranean, is of rather marginal importance. This is what mainstream media are implying by their (non) reporting on the real parameters of the Cyprus question. But, in reality the opposite is true. Cyprus, in spite of its magnitude, is too important to speak much of it!
What will happen in Cyprus during the coming months may have huge consequences for the direction both the European and the Middle Eastern crises will take in the near future. It may determine EU-Turkey relations and it will also deeply affect Greek politics and Russian interests in the Mediterranean.
Why all this? First because the “solution”, now prepared, of the Cyprus conflict is tantamount to no more, no less than the … abolition of the state in Cyprus, something which will set an example for all nation-states in Europe. To make a long story short, the Annan plan – along the same lines will be the next proposal for Cyprus - was giving ultimate power in the island to three foreign judges and to dozens of other “international officials”, appointed by the General Secretary of the UN personally (without even the consent of members of the Security Council). Those judges and other “international officials” would be able even to appoint their successors!
Whom Mr. Secretary General would appoint to run, with such monarchic powers, this small Republic? We suppose it would not be Nigeria, Vietnam or Chile which would influence his choices. It seems more probable that countries like the USA, Great Britain or Israel would do it, as they have both vital interest and the possibility to influence the decisions of any UN General Secretary.
Second, the Cyprus conflict is one of the main factors affecting the EU-Turkey relations (if Annan plan was to be applied, Ankara would be granted many of the rights of member-states much time before it becomes, if it becomes, a member-state!). And third, any resolution of the Cyprus conflict along the lines of the Annan plan would have huge strategic implications, given that Cyprus is located in one of the more strategic places on Earth.
Those factors explain why the US administration, the EU and the British government have mobilized massively in 2004 to “persuade” Cypriots to vote for the Annan plan. They created an atmosphere of fear and terror, which is the usual case in European referendums now. International and local “prestigious” commentators went public, predicting all the evils of the world, if voters decide to vote against the will of the “mighty” and the “civilized”. They paid also a lot of NGO's to make campaign for the Yes vote. The greater part of the Cypriot and Greek financial oligarchy, of the main Cypriot and Greek media and of the political establishments in both Cyprus and Greece did a massive campaign to persuade Cypriots to vote Yes.
Greek Cypriots, who are 82% of the population, had all the reasons of the world to take seriously these threats. Cyprus is a small island, a large part of which is occupied by Turkey. Turkey is a military “superpower” compared to Cyprus and Greece is too far to help it very effectively (if an Athens government decides to do it, because in the past Greek governments had not expressed such a strong will).
In spite of all this Cypriots have just rejected the Annan plan in 2004. But as Lord David Haney, the British diplomatic authority on Cyprus, has said back then, “if Cypriots reject this plan, we will put it again and again in referendum, until they vote Yes”.
Maybe the time for a new referendum, or even a crisis designed to schock the population of the island, is now approaching, after the parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of May.
Victoria Nuland has already visited Nicosia.
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