The Russians begin the “war” of the bases
(B2) Between Americans and Russians, what could be called a war of bases, or rather a gigantic monopoly of bases is underway.
In Georgian territories. Russia has thus announced the opening of a naval base in Abkhazia, in Otchamtchira. Almost the same day it announced the suspension of the deployment of missiles in Kaliningrad. The base would be built a few miles from Georgia from scratch. But this strategic site was preferred to Sukhumi (the region's main port) because it also makes it possible to control the territorial waters of neighboring Georgia, whose seabed also conceals gas and oil resources according to the Georgians quoted by RIA Novosti. In addition, it is added to the two land bases in the former Georgian territories: in South Ossetia, in the Khodori valley, and in Abkhazia, in Gudauta (*). This naval facility could complement, or even partially offset, Sevastopol (in Ukraine) whose lease ends in 2017. Rather than replacing it elsewhere (because, according to the Russian military, Sevastopol is "irreplaceable"), it's more about putting pressure on both Ukrainians and Westerners to convince them, that after all, it's better for the Russians to stay in Ukraine than skim elsewhere.
Worrying for the EU. "It is very worrying. This creation will really cause us serious problems for the Geneva negotiations"(between Georgians, Russians, Ossetians and Abkhazians, whose 3rd round opens next week), considers a high-ranking European diplomat. The Czech Presidency has, moreover, reacted officially on behalf of the EU, considering that it is "of a serious violation of the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, in which the EU is strongly involved. Any military construction in Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be in contradiction with the spirit (NB: the spirit not the letter) ceasefire agreements of August and September 2008 and harm the stability and security of the region by increasing tensions"system. (download the press release, in English)
Basic research. Russia also plans to create other bases - smaller, more like "stopover bases" - in the Mediterranean and in the Indian Ocean: in Tartous (Syria), in Socotra (Yemen), in Tripoli (Libya) or in Cam Ranh (Vietnam), according to the Russian press relayed by the Novosti agency.
And the closure of the US base in Kyrgyzstan. Russia has also obtained from Kyrgyzstan the commitment to eventually close the American base of Manas (the Kyrgyz Parliament votes the week
next, on this point, the denunciation of the agreement entails the closure of the base with a notice of six months normally). A closure which is accompanied by a "financial compensation" given by Russia to the former Soviet Republic: check for 450 million dollars and cancellation of a Kyrgyz debt to Russia of 180 million dollars.
(*) The land base is, in itself, only a replica of the imitation American base in Tbilisi. The "embassy" of the United States - about 500 strong - and extending over several hectares, looks more like a base than an embassy proportionate to the importance of the country..."Effectively" do we recognize, on the European side, without really wanting to admit that "c'est un
main".
(NGV)
