The other side to Ukraine civil war
Roy Ramage writes: Re. “‘We don’t know what to do’: Ukraine’s desperate cry for help” (Friday). Charles Mcphedran relays a one-sided view on what is happening in Ukraine. The horror is that this country is not just bankrupt financially, but politically as well. The brawling in what attempts to pass as Parliament is on regular public display. The country is in the grip of a civil war between the western Ukraine government and the largely Russian population of east Ukraine, who in at least one instance have understandably voted for independence.
Ukraine owes Russia at least $2 billion for the gas that not only heats the country in winter, but also much of Europe. The world has been quick to condemn Russia, but I fear that truth, as the first casualty of war, has been drowned out by the desperate measures undertaken by another failed state.
The British experts who have had ample time to decipher Flight MH17’s black box are strangely silent. Why? Now it is reported that Ukraine has accepted an $18b illion IMF bailout. Why not an EU financial rescue? Is it because of US diplomat Victoria Nuland’s “Fuck the EU” comment indicating that Uncle Sam may have more than a passing interest in Ukraine’s energy future?
In our rush to help Uncle Sam we have instituted trade sanctions against Russia. This has already cost us millions — possibly unnecessarily.
Richard Middleton writes: This is a shoddy propaganda. Where is the clear proof of any such Russian invasion?
Crimeans coted to stay with Russia, and it is the neo-neocon backed putschist puppets in Kiev who are attacking and killing their obstinate countrymen in the east. To do this they have the enthusiastic and active support of the neo-Nazis of Svoboda/Right Sector, using thugs such as the Azov battalion. Why no mention of this?
Why no mention of the fact that Russia now faces the very real threat of a real invasion, talked up by useful idiots in the Western media and political positions? Why no analysis of the murderous false flag attack on MH17, shot down by the forces from Kiev, as a justification for NATO to intervene? It was a prelude and cover for an attack upon Russia and more Western-sanctioned “regime change”. Fortunately for all of us, that vicious plan became unstuck as more and more informed lies were revealed.
Where is the leadership on the NBN?
David Thackrah writes: Re. “Broadband is just a toy for bored geeks, right?” (Friday). The hybrid NBN plan is consigning Australians to becoming uncompetitive in large industries, mining and importantly our ability to defend Australia.
Rural dwellers will become so disappointed with the tyranny of distance they will move to cities further causing decline in rural centres. The vacant land in Australia is already a defence hazard. Money spent on maintaining the 100-year-old PMG wires will simply be wasted. Capital will be directed elsewhere when farming and mining find communications are becoming “third world”.
We have to regain the “guts” that was exhibited on July 16, 1896 when the then Premier of Western Australia introduced a bill raising a loan of 2.5 million pounds (English) to construct the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme. What would that be worth today ?
Not only did the mining bloom, but the regions the pipe passed through, drew from the resource, and many country towns expanded in the pristine wheatbelt. Presently we see little of this development adventuring under the current government.
If only regional Australia had a political party that represented their needs and aspirations instead of selling them out to Liberal party’s key constituents (mining, finance, foreign owned multi-nationals and Rupert)… hopefully PUP’s ‘brain fart’ method of populist policy formation will provide some nuggets for them.
The Russian point of view as expressed by a couple of writers is appreciated and is not irrelevant.
However, nothing they have presented explains Putin’s military games and minor wars with the other former satellites, eg up to 4 threatened air incursions per day in Latvia and similar events affecting Finland recently. Where do Russian ambitions stop? If anybody considers that Ukraine’s territory would appease Russia, they are seriously mistaken. The Crimea exercise is but one of several thus far; neither the first nor the last.
What is needed is a thorough analysis of Russian ambitions towards those many Soviet-era satellite nations which left their control circa 1990-1991. There can be no simple all-encompassing answer, for the same reasons that the breakup of large families results in long term problems, financial, social and personal.
I could write of my small recent experience in one such country, including the many discussions I had with a range of ethnic Russians, locals and those whose families are mixed, but will not out of respect for privacy. Suffice to say that when people across the wide spectrum from proudly independent locals to ethnic Russians, some with current Russian citizenship, cannot see a pathway to a happy ending for all, then we in Australia are highly unlikely to understand the issues and options in a meaningful way.
The Russians enjoyed 50 years of control over their neighbours; in some former satellites, hundreds of years, often marred by conflict, dispossession, land grabs and even forced migration east and north. These leave deep wounds.
It makes me want to weep when I think of my friends who, through no fault of their own, may become involved in war, which is always the least smart tool in the toolbox, when peaceful coexistence has so much to offer.
Perhaps someone with deep knowledge of peace studies could provide insight towards a less destructive future than that which will be reached by following the current path towards reunification of the USSR and escalating military and economic tensions between NATO and USSR.
I agree with Roy and Richard. There is too much rubbish being written and broadcast about Russia, in this country.
Most of it is fanciful, put about by the USA, and channeled through the MSM here.
If you know where to look on the net there is ample evidence of this misinformation. How many people in Oz are aware of the fact that Russia released to the world, ALL of its satellite data from the MH17 disaster, less than a week after the incident? And as Roy says – where are the black box details?
Too many questions and not enough answers right now!
Luke you say: …If only regional Australia had a political party that represented their needs and aspirations instead of selling them out to Liberal party’s key constituents (mining, finance, foreign owned multi-nationals and Rupert).
Figuratively speaking in terms of representation the NP has for the last two decades nailed their constituents to a shed wall. And the constituent knowing fully well they were being bilked and nailed, ask the NP that one arm be left free so they can vote for them again. That’s it …you get what you vote for. Maybe next time around, maybe PUP will pick up disenfranchised NP voters that would be a laugh. I can see Barnyard Joyce reacting like a fast boiling steaming kettle if this looked like happening.
Does anyone think that the hostility/sanctions toward Russia as well as the false flag attack are payback for the Snowden asylum?