So, today was a busy day. But I would steal myself away to the computer and search for the latest news when I could. I also took the time to visit Saker's early this a.m.So, I am going to start at the Vineyard... as I finish up my Cabernet Franc from dinner Saker had some interesting news about a car bomb being stopped in the CrimeaSaker also mentioned that mostly all communications had mysteriously been cut off to the residents of Crimea
-A car with 400kg of TNT-equivalent explosives was intercepted a a checkpoint yesterday in Crimea. There is no word on the diver or possible passengers.
-Telephone, Internet and cell-phone connections were re-established in Crimea (they had been cut by unknown people yesterday)
I searched and searched for info regarding the car bomb. Came up empty handed. That said, I DO NOT doubt Saker's reporting on this. Car bombs are practically a NATO hallmark. I cannot even recall how many of these have blown innocent Syrians to pieces. The one reason I suspect we did not read or see this reported was due to the simple fact the attack had been preventedOnto the news of the communications breakdown yes, it's a Led Zeppelin pun too ;)I did manage to find this!
Meanwhile, Ukraine's telecom provider, Ukrtelecom JSC, said unknown people seized several communications centers in the Crimea late Friday, knocking out the company's ability to connect the peninsula with the rest of the country. The statement on the company's website said there were almost no landline, Internet or mobile services operating in the Crimea.
I spent a good deal of time mulling this over. Particularly in tandem with the attempted car bombing.Who was going to be the target of the car bombing? I don't know. The car bombing could be used to play many different hands. But, I see the communications denial as a means for the western media to control the narrative that would have been forthcoming had such an incident succeeded in CrimeaI couldn't help but see the hypocrisy in another news story that came out this morning, but, then sort of faded away- Crimeas Pro Russian Leaders Election Illegal
Ukraine’s acting president questioned legitimacy of the Crimean leader, saying his election by the regional parliament on Thursday, when the building was occupied by pro-Russia gunmen, violated the country’s constitution
Imagine that? From a man who is a coup participant. He wasn't elected. And he violently ousted an actual elected leader Then we had a number of pro-Russian rallies- Donetsk Canada is recalling it's Ambassador a move I can only describe as very unproductive Russia's Gazprom Reconsiders Gas Deal
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned this week that the current political crisis in Ukraine meant a nearly 45% cut on natural gas from Russia would be reconsidered. And over the weekend, Gazprom, Russia’s state owned natural gas giant, said it is considering canceling the steep discount. Such a reversal of fortunes for Ukraine would increase its ballooning government debt, and nearly double the price of fuel.
The country now has at least $1.55 billion in arrears on payments for natural gas deliveries, which Gazprom said on Saturday may force it to cancel the deal it made in December.
A man waves a Russian Navy flag as he stands among pro-Russian armed men blocking access to the Ukrainian frontier guard base in Balaklava, a small city not far from Sevastopol There was that Security Council Meeting today... no real news that I could seeWhat I did notice was Obama posturing. Very strident talkIncluding consulting with allies. And no G-8
President Obama made clear that Russia’s continued violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity would negatively impact Russia’s standing in the international community. In the coming hours and days, the United States will urgently consult with allies and partners in the UN Security Council, the North Atlantic Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and with the signatories of the Budapest Memorandum. The United States will suspend upcoming participation in preparatory meetings for the G-8. Going forward, Russia’s continued violation of international law will lead to greater political and economic isolation.
However- Hollande contacted Putin. Initiated by HollandeThis suggests to me that Obama is going to be all bluster, hubris and bravado while Hollande is going to be the negotiator/mediator?Where is Merkel?
Vladimir Putin shared his assessment of the situation in Ukraine, stressing that there exists a real threat to the lives of Russian citizens and our compatriots. The two presidents exchanged views on possible ways of resolving the situation in Ukraine and agreed to continue contacts.
Putin also spoke with Ban Ki Moon and Obama; Same messageSomething I find very disgusting- Dimitry Yarosh- The bully from Ukraine has called on his terror partner Doku Umarov to wreak havoc in Russia and against the Russian people Finally- The Tatars, at 12 percent of the population, look to be repeating history--- what is the definition of insanity?
Mr. Chubarov, whose people have had a hostile relationship with the Kremlin for years, has called for Ukraine to remain intact and doesn't recognize the new Crimean authorities appointed earlier this week. Mr. Chubarov, who said he has spoken with Turkey's foreign minister and the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine about the country's crisis, has urged his people to avoid any provocations that could worsen the situation in Crimea.
I wonder if Ms Nuland has spoken with Mr Chubarov?