Russia is now siding with France and Germany on the Iraq issue. My wager is that it has something to do with the very lucrative deal they just made with the Iraqi government for oil rights.
Considering that Russia stayed out of the first Gulf War, this isn’t particularly surprising. They will more than likely stay on the sidelines of this conflict as they have their own problems to worry about.
However, when it comes time for the Russians to act against the Chechens, expect them to act with typical unrestrained force. After all, it’s one thing to attack a nation that you’re buying oil from – in that case the UN should have all the time in the world. When it comes to a separatist province that insults your national honor, well, then to hell with the UN, let’s bomb them into the Stone Age…
George Bush is getting down to the short strokes. France, Germany and Russia know this is a good time to withold co-operation until there are some lucrative concessions.
Meanwhile, a Palastinian village was destroyed to build a fence.