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Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Unelected power: Democracy on the retreat in Europe (and not just in Ukraine)

Here's my new column for RT.com OpEdge.

Genuine people’s power is on the retreat in Europe, and it's under attack from those who most loudly claim to be "democrats."

Last week we saw the unelected EU foreign policy chief, Baroness Ashton, meeting the new unelected Ukrainian "president," Aleksandr Turchynov, who came to power following a violent overthrow of that country's democratically elected president – with the rebellion backed by the EU.

You can read the whole article here.

28 comments:

Ian said...

Good to see you resurrect the blog.

It has also been good to see you being so vociferous in your denunciation of a nuclear superpower unilaterally sending troops into annex a sovereign state. hmm maybe not

Like you've said on Twitter it is massively hypocritical for people to support the unilateral invasion of Iraq, but to oppose it in Ukraine. But it seems that it isn't hypocritical to hold the opposite position.

Or is it time for you to drop your anti-war anti-neo con tags, as you don't seem to be able to recognise them when they come with a friendly Privyet?

Come on Neil, don't make it so easy for people to dismiss you just a useful idiot, Abby Martin has done it, Left Unity has done it http://leftunity.org/against-nationalism-corruption-privatisation-and-war/ surely you can stand by your principles and do it to.

Vaughan said...

Top Article Neil. We're like a science experiment. No matter what action we take or, advancement we make, we never seem to get out of the beaker.

Otrazhenie said...

Hi Neil, I came across your article at http://rt.com/op-edge/protests-in-ukraine-coverage-319/#_=_ but could not leave a comment due to some technical glitches. Is that OK with you if I quote your article on my blog at http://otrazhenie.wordpress.com/2014/03/06/a-prayer-for-ukraine/with a link to your article? Thanks.

brian said...

A view of a Russian analyst E.A. Fiodorov: The junta in Kiev is bound to start repressive measures in order to stay in power. It has already positioned its paramilitaries and other elements in southern and eastern Europe. At the same time, a version of the Syrian scenario is being implemented. Foreign mercenaries and contractors have already entered Ukraine. The bulk of them is being concentrated on the old Berkut bases near Kiev. They are being led by Western advisers. This military formation is in possession of heavy weapons. They were to move into the Crimea on March 30 in order to "cleanse it." The fact forced the hand of the Crimean authorities to move their referendum two weeks ahead. The size of this task force is estimated to be presently around 20,000. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzaFCdS77T8

brian said...

Poland evacuated Crimean consulate, must be expecting trouble, well they started it, Maidan.... but doesnt evaciate embassy in kiev...

http://iraq-war.ru/article/305993
what do they know?

brian said...

several pro-Maidan and Western articles claimed the opposite, saying that Putin forced or made Yanukovich to sign the "peace agreement" (capitulation) on February 21. At his press conference, Putin actually said: "[At that time] Yanukovich called and told me what he wanted to do--to recall all the police from Kiev. I told him not do it for it would create anarchy and chaos in Kiev. But he still did it. And as soon as his did, his office was seized, and the government, and anarchy took place which I warned him against" At about 33:00 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiKF8JN1qmk

brian said...

excellent article : esp the identikid suit bit and how referendums are seen by eu suits as undemocratic.... which is why the crimean referendum is being decry from washington to London as illegal (its not)

brian said...

is this the worst interview in history?

US mercenary army #blackwater now in Crimea, says former member of Russian Duma Sergei Markov - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBsqyubv_ns … #c4news

2.50: amazing dkhead interviwerer says its not a junta (IT is) and was elected by the people....LOL no wonder he is in kiev..if he is an egh of the media : the UK is in real trouble
The guy is in KIEV but even i know what he is saying about the 'parliament' is a lie.

why tell such s lie which millions can check for themselves? the russian politician is absolutely right...also social media in russia seems to be far more on the money than engkish one

brian said...

Everything_Left Ryan O'Neill 1h
"Moscow is our capital","Russia! Russia!" chanted as large flash mob form Russian flag in Sevastopol @Ruptly @RT_com pic.twitter.com/0Qza5WftA2

and Der Spiegel calls President Putin an arsonist, helping to inflame the german public
https://www.facebook.com/DerSpiegel/photos/a.120321731386154.30951.120313354720325/616977965053859/?type=1&stream_ref=10

they also seem to have removed my comments

brian said...

Over 100,000 to 150,000 Ukrainians in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine are demonstrating TODAY against the EU selected puppets in Kiev. In translation, they're denouncing the Kiev appointed Governors & announcing their own appointments...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qzWZ5ZmNck#t=111

Truth about situation in Ukraine shared Con l'Ucraina antifascista's status.
about an hour ago
Western propaganda machine is just telling lies and hiding the reality. The self-appointed illegitimate Junta that is ruling just some areas in Ukraine actually has lost totally the control of more than the half of the country.. Today March 9th millions of citizens went to the streets against the self-appointed fascist Junta, the thugs that are spreading the chaos in the areas they control, and the ingerency of USA-EU. Lugansk, Donestk, Mariupol, Kharkov (the second city of Ukraine) are now under the control of popular militias and local comites that try to coordinate a common strategy to liberate the country and resinstaurate the independence and the public order. Please share. More information and pictures in the following facebook page (in italian)
https://www.facebook.com/ucrainaantifascista/photos/pcb.596216773792914/596216497126275/?type=1&theater

brian said...

Even the sunsets in Crimea are pro-Russian. (Photo: sunset over Simferopol, Crimea) pic.twitter.com/jGjgJa3CeC

either/or
First referendum banners in Crimea. "On March 16 we choose: ... or ..." pic.twitter.com/x2KlDeJUub

brian said...


Ukrainian Defense News Network
26 mins ·
Unconfirmed:
"1,5 hour ago a column of buses left from Kharkiv to Donetsk and Lugansk - 28 large buses and 20 smaller "Gazell"-type with armed mercenaries of the Right Sector and foreign mercenaries - hired private mercenaries by the U.S. and Britain. +/- 400 people . All dressed in the form of the Ukrainian police. Probably there are some snipers among them.
Purpose - create a massacre and blame it on Russia, and give a chance to rise for the U.S. and NATO and let them bring their special forces "to restore order" & "protect the public".
As well as to capture airfields in Donetsk and Lugansk region for landing of heavy transport aircraft. This special operation as a counter measure against Russia over the Crimea and revenge."
- Source: Truth about the Situation in Ukraine FB group
- Posted by Mark Sleboda
https://www.facebook.com/ukrainiandefensenewsnetwork/photos/a.525787304207006.1073741827.525764934209243/532498763535860/?type=1&theater

brian said...


Via Crimean news agency Novoross.info:

"A Crimean self-defense paramilitary unit formed by Crimean Tatars, caught, in the district "Svoboda" of Simferopol, a suspicious car with three men in uniform, who had weapons and many Crimean passports.
As reported at the headquarters of the "Crimean Front" movement, in the car (A "Lada," 10th model, number VN6484AP (Sumy region - Ed.)) were a Ukrainian officer and two men in camouflage uniforms. They seized the gun and the passports. It turned out that the officer was serving in a military base near village Perevalnoe .

The detainee officer was transferred to the military self-defense force's headquarters, and two unidentified persons in camouflage were sent to the nearby police station.
In the "Crimean front" it was noted that villagers adjacent to the village of Perevalnoe complained of unknown persons in camouflage uniforms who came into their houses and demanded the villagers' passports."

Source
http://novoross.info/happens/23746-tatarskiy-otryad-samooborony-zaderzhal-v-simferopole-vooruzhennyh-provokatorov-s-pachkoy-pasportov.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to news about the fascists who took the passports of Crimean people and destroyed them or ran off with them. The fascist junta is trying to prevent Crimeans from coming to a referendum and joining Russia by any means.
Also, this news is a good illustration that Crimean Tatars are in mass support of the idea of joining Russia. Only 18% of them are against it. Crimean Tatars are 12 % of the population in Crimea. — in Simferopol, Ukraine.

brian said...

Reportedly kilometers of Russian military vehicles moving from Rostov na Donu towards the Donbass. Liberation forces coming at last?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XvDM572Awg

something to match the Blackwater convoy?

brian said...

Ian seems unaware of Crimea...Russia has not anxxsewd the autonomous state, let alone Ukraine...its had a base there since 1873, when Cfrimea became russian territory.
The crimea have asked russia to aid them...so far , russia has not done more than send observers....

the real useful idiots are those who suck eggs for the real suport power, which suddenly discovers international law while losing it over 'legitimising' by presence the illegitimate regime in Kiev, run now by neonazis of a very nasty temper:
http://rt.com/news/ukraine-mp-abducted-threatened-882/

in comnparison, the pro-russia militis in Crimea are:
https://twitter.com/vezhlivo/status/442001582821875712/photo/1
https://twitter.com/vezhlivo/status/441959975452037121/photo/1

brian said...

...so here we again: US needs recruits, young volatile, driven: patsies like the muslim jihdis: and same method; use media hysteria to whip up emotion to have young bucks go on a jihad/crusade to save someone from a targeted evil,
--------------------
from facebook:
(English/Spanish) In Lithuania there is an atmosphera of psycosis and fear, promoted by irresponsable politicians and media. And already some individuals are recruiting volunteers to go to Ukraine to kill people there. I include here the advertisement recruiting volunteers to go to Ukraine. Some Lithuanians friends sent it to me. As I said four months ago (few days after starting Euromaidan) it is going to be a war in Ukraine. The country will be devastated and looted. And the guys that will die to deffend the interests of the American and German coorporations will be basically Eastern European citizens. Educated and grown in hatress and bigotry against Russia. I am so sad to see that. We have to stop this crazyness!!!! Packing my things to come back to Barcelona if the situation become nasty here.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152291867473659&set=a.62154938658.89554.691108658&type=1&theater

brian said...

Dennis Kucinich: Former #US congressman: "U.S. taxpayers’ money used to fund Neo-Nazi" in #Ukraine: http://intellihub.com/us-presidential-candidate-dennis-kucinich-says-us-instigated-ukraine-crisis/#.UxusJFrPntI.twitter …

Putin on Ukraine
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article37889.htm

will washington pivots its Jihad corps to Ukraine esp Crimea? is that why Saudis are moving jihadis out of syria?
http://rt.com/op-edge/crimea-terrorism-saudi-tatars-050/

President Obama: "You deserve to know where your elected officials stand"

In the Extreme Right Side of History?? pic.twitter.com/bFEesAAYbk

brian said...

how legitimate is the US?
Speaking of the Crimean referendum and all the attacks on it by friends of the fascist junta, Oleg Odintsovsky dared to ask a simple and yet interesting question: What about the way in which the United States itself came into existence? Was it through a referendum, which included the whole of Great Britain? Was it an internationally recognized referendum? Here is how he put it in his open letter to Obama: "I am sure you remember the first words of the U.S. Declaration of Independence: 'When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation..'" The "reasoning" and "principles" raised by the friends of the fascist takeover in Ukraine undermine, if taken seriously, the legitimacy of the United States itself. http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/11-03-2014/127087-letter_obama-0/#.Ux9SfoFF9b4.facebook

brian said...

Retweeted RIA Novosti (@ria_novosti):
Crimea Bans Nationalist, Neo-Nazi Groups http://t.co/l2e7qtpwBv

excellent! lets see if chicken Kiev will do they same thng and will the US and EU press respond to the banning? this banning makes any appearance of Pravi sektor Svoboda types subject to arrest

brian said...

An American man, apparently a hired sniper, angry and drunk, was recorded live on a Russian online chat platform. He is brandishing on the camera his weapons, a sniper professional, military-grade rifle with a telescope plus another old military rifle. At about 3:00 he starts talking, making it clear that he is, indeed, American. He also shows his good knowledge of both Russian and Ukrainian. He continues cursing Putin, being especially fond of the F-You sign. He also keeps repeating the slogan of the Right Sector: "Slava Ukrainie." He is also showing various items as if to prove that he is still, indeed, somewhere in Ukraine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipst-lRkoi4&feature=youtu.be

brian said...

“In accordance with the amendments introduced to the 1961 law (Foreign Assistance Act) a few years ago the provision of foreign assistance is prohibited to ‘the government of any country whose duly elected head of government is deposed by military coup or decree’”, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “Thus, by all criteria the provision of funds to the illegitimate [Kiev] regime, which seized power by force, is unlawful and goes beyond the boundaries of the US legal system.”
http://rt.com/news/us-aid-ukraine-illegal-202/

brian said...

History is repeating itself. The US and its allies support fascists in Europe again. Just like when they supported the Nazis in Germany to target the Soviet Union, they are now supporting ultra-nationalist fascists in Ukraine with the aim of targeting Russia.

Anglo-American elites supported the Nazi Third Reich with the aim of manipulating a war between the Germans and the Soviets with the aim of getting both Berlin and Moscow to mutually destroy one another. This is the same strategy that Washington used against Baghdad and Tehran when it encouraged Saddam Hussein to invade Iran and launch the Iran-Iraq War.

The appeasement policy of Britain was really designed to create a common border between the Germans and Soviets as a means of perpetrating a violent military clash between the two powerhouses.

The Nazis were viewed with the highest respect by Anglo-American officials and business leaders while the Soviets were reviled. Many US corporations and banks supported the Nazis and financed them. Mackenzie King, the union busting advisor of the Rockefeller family and tenth prime minister of Canada, even admired Hitler and the Nazis. Moreover, many of the royal families of Western Europe were pro-Nazi. Edward VIII, who abdicated from the British throne in favour of his brother, was a supporter of Hitler, for example. http://reclaimourrepublic.wordpress.com/2014/03/12/history-is-repeating-itself-russia-stands-against-fascism-again-crimea-votes-for-independence/

brian said...

Hacked Email from U.S. Army Attache in Ukraine - For False Flags to occur so U.S. can take military action against Russia

Email from Jason Gresh (Assistant Army Attaché U.S. Embassy, Kyiv...) to Igor:

Events are moving rapidly in Crimea. Our friends in Washington expect more decisive actions from your network.
I think it’s time to implement the plan we discussed lately. Your job is to cause some problems to the transport hubs in the south-east in order to frame-up the neighbor.
It will create favorable conditions for Pentagon and the Company to act.
Do not waste time, my friend.
Respectfully,
JP

Email CCed to Igor from Vasyl (Ukraine official):

Oleg , an urgent need poshumity on behalf of Russians at the airport in Melitopol. This should be done by March 15 . Sam understands why.
First of all you must contact Pasha Tarasenko. You must know him , he is a local Liberty and has a theme.
Before you arrive 10-12 boys from the Centre. Top fighters Trident . Chief Mike there , you should know it too . Details will know him. We need people to meet and provide everything you need.
Proceed with caution. Speak only Russian. 25 team is executing combat missions , so do not do them much damage to aircraft . There is a lot of scrap metal, with it you can do anything . Damaged aircraft you specify. It is essential that all was as real attack neighbor's Special Forces. But without corpses.
Give me again your account. The money will come in time, do not worry.
See the appendix . This is an example of action. Decisions are made in person.

Email to Vasyl from Igor (Chief, General Staff, Armed Forces of Ukraine):

Basil , you must quickly carry out proactive in Melitopol. There's 25 aviation brigade . Must zamaraty our sworn friends and good neighbors. I think you understand me.
Just proceed carefully and cautiously. 25 brigade combat mission out , so do not do them much damage to aircraft . There is already damaged aircraft , that He can do everything. Yihny board numbers you give. Remember , you need everything to be as real attack of the Russian Special Forces.
Brigade commander there is a reasonable man . Details of know he will not, but in extreme cases it can turn to. We did come.

Who Igor is:

COL Igor PROTSYK
Chief, Bilateral Military Cooperation Division
Main Directorate for Military Cooperation and PKO
General Staff, Armed Forces of Ukraine
tel +38044 481-5407
cell +38067 407 97 40
e-mail: i.v.protsyk@mil.gov.ua
e-mail: protsyk@ukr.net
http://sherriequestioningall.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/hacked-email-from-us-army-attache-in.html
Posted by: ProPeace | Mar 12, 2014 5:08:49 PM | 15
http://www.moonofalabama.org/2014/03/open-thread-2014-05.html#c6a00d8341c640e53ef01a73d8e830f970d

brian said...

Via Mark Sleboda:
#Ukraine Putch regime orders military to put down people's government in #Lugansk, Lugansk asks Putin for help.
http://www.vitrenko.org/start.php?lang=1&article_id=19243
==========
how ironic for the maidan 'peaceful protesters' to crush resistance with military force,.,,somethnig Yanuk never did!

brian said...

The Court has begun proceedings on the illegality of the assigning Turchinov as a President of Ukraine

The Supreme Administrative Court of Ukraine has begun proceedings on the claim due to illegal assignment on duties as President of Ukraine Alexander Turchinov. Donetsk lawyer Vladimir Olentsevich demanded to recognize the wrongfulness of acts of the Verkhovna Rada, which endowed Turchinova in power as President in the time when in power still had been legitimately elected President Viktor Yanukovych. The first hearing is scheduled for March 19th.
http://tvzvezda.ru/news/vstrane_i_mire/content/201403121516-dyag.htm

brian said...

Mark Ames ‏@MarkAmesExiled 7h
25 minute video of today's ultranationalist mass brawl in Donetsk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=iNqcwSwnybU&app=desktop

Тврщ Плтрк ‏@pltrk 12h
Они приехали с Запада поставить #Донецк на колени. Кажется, что-то пошло не так RT @kiber1OO: Враг не пройдет! pic.twitter.com/LQmFQZ2Inq

Mark Ames ‏@MarkAmesExiled 10h
Ukraine NeoNazi Pravy Sektor leader Yarosh is from Donetsk, as are many scary oligarchs and crime bosses. Perfect spot for fascist showdown

brian said...

the fight in Donetsk
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_13/Euromaidan-protestors-start-fight-with-pro-Russia-activists-in-Donetsk-6806/

Mark Ames @MarkAmesExiled 7h
25 minute video of today's ultranationalist mass brawl in Donetsk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=iNqcwSwnybU&app=desktop

brian said...


The Crimean authorities have limited arrivals in the Simferopol airport in order to keep provocateurs out, Crimean First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Temirgaliyev said. "Bearing in mind the possible influx of provocateurs, we have limited plane arrivals. The measure will be discriminative; all limitations will be lifted after March 17 and the airport will resume its normal operation," he said.

Crimean self-defense forces have taken control of the Crimean division of state company Ukraerorukh, which, according to Temirgaliyev, hindered the arrival of Tatarstan head Rustam Minnikhanov in Crimea.
"We had a problem yesterday. Ukraerorukh prohibited the plane of Tatarstan head Rustam Minnikhanov to enter the [Crimean] airspace on the orders from the Kyiv authorities. The Tatarstan head tried to take an S7 flight, but that flight was also denied entry. There was an attempt to arrive by an Emergency Situations Ministry plane, but it was not permitted to enter the Ukrainian airspace either. The situation is under control now," Temirgaliyev said.
He noted that the Crimean Council of Ministers took charge of the Ukraerorukh Crimean division.
Tatarstan head Minnikhanov eventually arrived in Simferopol, met with Crimean Tatar leaders and attended a special session of the Crimean Supreme Council.
Voice of Russia, Interfax
/
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_12/Flights-to-Crimea-to-be-limited-until-March-17-to-keep-provocateurs-out-authorities-6232/