NATO is preparing for major war

Pravda Ru
05/21/2004 17:03

Vice-president of Academy of geopolitical problems, colonel- general
Leonid Ivashov says on NATO approaching Russian borders in Utro
interview. Utro NATO approached Russian borders, but young generations
of Russians doubt if this is a threat to Russia, recent public opinion
surveys demonstrated. Where do you see the threat to Russian security?

Leonid Ivashov As for young people”s opinion, I am teaching at Moscow
State Institute of International Relations and know that students
are given too contradictory and scarce information. Professors have
shortage of textbooks interpreting different doctrines, opinions
and approaches. Young people are confused, they are disoriented and
cannot see the long-term threat. Yes, NATO troops do not shoot and
bomb Russia today, and this creates the impression that the threat
is not real.

One more thing: mass media, especially TV channels, do not create the
“image of the enemy”, and young people do not read newspapers. For
these reasons, it is hard for young people to determine their position
on NATO.

In addition, Western values are being planted in Russia, while its own
historical and cultural roots are coming into oblivion. Currently our
young people see Chechen terrorists are much bigger threat than NATO.

Utro This is all mass media”s fault…

Leonid Ivashov Mass media are a tool not only for expansion in
peaceful period, but also for war. For example, mass media created
demonic image of Slobodan Milosevic and Serbs in Europe and in
America. As a result, the public did not protest when the aggression
against Yugoslavia started in violation of international law. Then the
principle of creating the image of demon was applied to Iraq. This
is informational warfare, and its weapons are so powerful that any
democratic leader loved by his people can be made a monster and demon
in 2-3 weeks.

Let us ask a question – for what reasons is NATO moving Eastward? NATO
is a military machine increasing its potential, having many thousands
of tanks and cannons, more than 5,000 military aircrafts, nuclear
weapons. This machine is near our borders. A question to young people:
why is NATO approaching Russia? For what reasons are the six aerodromes
in the Baltic states being modernized for NATO”s strategic aviation
landing (including aircrafts carrying nuclear weapons)?

Utro Using the military language – for possible military actions in
Eastern regions…

Leonid Ivashov Certainly, and international terrorism is a good excuse
for this. Earlier Communism was this excuse. Why can”t Americans
find bin Laden? He is very convenient for them. Taliban has been
defeated, and if al-Qaida is defeated, there will be no source of
terrorism. Americans need this source.

40 countries are the members of the Council for European Partnership
which is affiliated to NATO. Several years ago one of the NATO generals
was speaking at the Council about the threat for NATO and Europe. The
general named spreading weapons of mass destruction, drug trafficking,
illegal migration and terrorism as the threats, and said that NATO will
concentrate on eradicating them. At that point, I asked a question,
“Could you tell how mechanized division, Air Force and Navy will
fight against spreading nuclear weapons, drug trafficking and illegal
migrants. Could you share your experience of this?” They were confused,
because no military organization will deal with these issues. I asked
again, “70% of all NATO exercises are about starting a big war,
winning domination in air, conducting defense operations and then
attacking. Does your statement mean that you will turn to peace-keeping
operations and fighting drug trafficking now?” No reply again.

We received NATO”s invitation for some of its military exercises, such
as Balttops or the maneuvers in Poland. But all exercises always have
two stages. First – when Navy is capturing terrorists” submarine. By
the way, how can a sub with terrorists appear in the Baltic Sea? After
capturing the sub, the commanders drink Champaign and say good-bye
to the guests. Then the second, real stage of exercises starts –
landing on the seashore with aviation support and destroying enemy”s
objects, taking over settlements, destroying enemy”s aviation. All
this is aimed against Russian Baltic Fleet.

We can also see NATO working on the strategic purpose of controlling
Russian Northern Fleet. Russia has the most powerful Navy carrying
nuclear weapons, in the North. NATO set many radar stations in
Norwegian Spitsbergen islands and in the Baltic States. There is
an idea that at the last exercise of Russian Northern Fleet, Russian
missiles could not be launched because of some electronic interference.

The reaction of Russia is mainly about soothing itself. I believe
that somebody should be prosecuted for undermining our military.

Utro Can you say that so-called “NATO belt” is created around Russia
of the Baltic States, Central Asia and the Caucasus region?

Leonid Ivashov Yes, just draw the line connecting these regions. The
only protuberance there is Belarus. Ukraine has already given its
territory for NATO troops deploying. Georgia allowed NATO to use its
territory and air space.

We saw Chechen terrorists creating their bases, training camps and even
command posts in Georgia. In fact, Georgia is involved in anti-Russian
campaign. Chechen terrorists are not just bandits already, they are
well-organized anti-Russian special force having strategic goals and
using the territory of Georgia.

Americans are analyzing the option of establishing their tactical
military bases and posts in the Caucasus region, in Georgia, Azerbaijan
and later in Armenia. They are unable to have big bases there as
they need many troops in Iraq, but will bring equipment and groups
of specialists to prepare the conditions for quick deploying their
troops in the area.

Utro Media wrote about the CIA report predicting Russia”s
disintegrating into 6-8 states by 2015. Your comments?

Leonid Ivashov I believe that Russia is moving on the way of degrading,
disintegrating and destroying as a state. In this respect, the
long-term strategy has been applied to Russia for decades. Russia is
going to be isolated along its borders, then Northern Caucasus region
will be taken from it. Formally, Russia will own it, but all over the
region Chechnya-like instability will take place. Kaliningrad region
and the Far East will have the same scenario. Powerful strategy
is applied to Russia, and Russian leadership and political elite do
not respond.

What was Defense Minister Ivanov doing in Georgia during the recent
conflict in Adzharia autonomous republic? Was he pursuing Russia”s
interests? Certainly, the war in the area is not in Russia”s best
interests, but negotians should have been arranged for settling the
contradictions between the leaders of Georgia and Adzharia autonomous
republic. Americans are backing Georgian leader Saakashvili, and we
should have backe Adzharian leader Abashidze as Moscow mayor Yury
Luzhkov did some time ago. Earlier, Mr. Luzhkov came to Batumi and
made equal balance of power. Defense Minister Ivanov just overthrew
the elected head of Adzharia, and in this way he pursued the interests
of Americans.

As for American military bases in Central Asia, neither Russia nor
Iran nor China benefit from them. We invited Americans there and
persuaded the Heads of Central Asian countries to allow US troops
to be deployed there temporary. Even in the case of NATO expansion,
we are not protesting, but misleading our own people by saying that
there is no threat. Lately the agreement has been reached that NATO
forces will be deployed in Russia. What next?

Yury Kotenok