Fears grow of a new Cold War http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/fears-grow-of-a-new-cold-war/2008/08/28/1219516662983.html . RUSSIA sent warships on "peacekeeping" duties to the Black Sea in response to the arrival of US and NATO ships carrying humanitarian aid, raising the curtain on the first act of what Europe warns is a new Cold War. The Kremlin described the presence of American warships in the Black Sea as a "direct confrontation"
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin accused Washington of manufacturing the Georgia conflict as tensions mounted, with the United States threatening to scrap a nuclear deal in protest at Moscow's actions. Putin said the US administration had a hand in the five-day war between Russian and Georgian forces; he suspected that "someone in the US specially created this conflict" to "create an advantage" for a US presidential candidate.
Before Putin spoke, Russia tested an inter-continental missile. A spokesman for Russia's strategic nuclear forces said a test of the Topol RS-12M missile was successful. Russia is developing this missile in response to US plans to develop its anti-missile shield in central Europe.
An indication of Russia’s fears was provided by it’s Nato representative. "There are two dates that have changed the world in recent years: September 11, 2001, and August 8, 2008," Mr Rogozin said, explaining that the West has not fully grasped how the Georgia conflict has heightened Russians' fears about being surrounded by NATO. "They are basically identical in terms of significance. September 11 motivated the United States to behave really differently in the world," he said. "That is to say, Americans realised that even in their homes, they could not feel safe. They had to protect their interests, outside the boundaries of the US. For Russia, it is the same thing."
The British Foreign Minister, David Milliband, flagbearer for Europe's rhetoric, warned Russian President, Medvedev, against any further steps towards a new Cold War: "The Russian President says he is not afraid of a new Cold War. We don't want one. He has a big responsibility not to start one." Mr Milliband flew to the Ukraine yesterday and became the first Western official in Kiev to provide Ukrainian President, Viktor Yushchenko, with a clear sign of support. Like Georgia, Kiev wants to join the European Union and NATO and is being stymied by the Kremlin. The US Vice-President, Dick Cheney, is also scheduled to visit both Georgia and Ukraine next week. --------------------------------------- Meanwhile in Central Asia at Dushanbe, a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Council (SCO) was held. China CCTV, today showed a beaming President Hu, obviously very much in charge, greeting other leaders. The five leaders from Central Asia and Transcaucasia congratulated President Hu on the successful Beijing Olympics and the Chinese people for organizing the games. The five leaders made positive comments on friendly cooperative ties with China and expressed willingness to continuously strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with China in various fields and to push forward bilateral relations.
At the meeting, President Medvedev hoped for backing from China and Central Asian states for Russia's actions in Georgia Later, members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation signed a declaration in support of Russia's peacekeeping mission in South Ossetia. The member states expressed support for Russia's peacekeeping efforts, but pointed out any solution must be based on the principle of territorial integrity. Western media reported ‘the East fails to unite for Russia over Georgia,’ emphasizing no SCO members followed Russia's lead in recognising South Ossetia or Abkhazia.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Afghan President Hamid Karzai are also attending the talks in Dushanbe. ----------------------------------------- Meanwhile in Taiwan …. THE US will sell $US90 million ($105 million) worth of anti-ship missiles to Taiwan, ending what some analysts said has been a freeze on arms sales that was designed to ease cross-Straits tension between China and Taiwan. The US Department of Defence has approved the sale of 60 Harpoon Air Launch missiles made by McDonnell Douglas Corp for delivery next year, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported on Wednesday.
Those Taiwan Straits must be occupying President Hu’s mind. --------------------------------------------
My take on all this… Its all so easy to Rachet Up… But!
Just think… those SCO countries, plus likely Allies, control all of Asia’s Energy and also that of the Persian Gulf as well!
