Fears were raised yesterday over a decision to restart a potentially dangerous decommissioned nuclear power plant in the centre of Europe because of a shortage of gas caused by Russia's dispute with Ukraine. Slovakia, defying undertakings given when it joined the European Union, said that it would reactivate a Soviet-style nuclear generator that has a record of safety problems because it had received no Russian gas since last Thursday. Russia again found a reason to delay turning the taps back on yesterday, despite an agreement brokered by Mirek Topolanek, the Czech Prime Minister, on behalf of the EU, which was signed by Russian and Ukrainian leaders at the weekend. President Medvedev said last night that the agreement allowing EU monitors to check on the flow of gas was no longer valid because Ukraine had attached a hand-written document contradicting the deal.
Fears were raised yesterday over a decision to restart a potentially dangerous decommissioned nuclear power plant in the centre of Europe because of a shortage of gas caused by Russia's dispute with Ukraine.
Slovakia, defying undertakings given when it joined the European Union, said that it would reactivate a Soviet-style nuclear generator that has a record of safety problems because it had received no Russian gas since last Thursday.
Russia again found a reason to delay turning the taps back on yesterday, despite an agreement brokered by Mirek Topolanek, the Czech Prime Minister, on behalf of the EU, which was signed by Russian and Ukrainian leaders at the weekend.
President Medvedev said last night that the agreement allowing EU monitors to check on the flow of gas was no longer valid because Ukraine had attached a hand-written document contradicting the deal.
to which the Ukraine will declare that it was opposite day. keep to the Fen Causeway
At issue was a handwritten phrase that Ms. Tymoshenko wrote beside her signature early Sunday morning, after the document had already been signed by Mr. Putin. In English, she wrote, "with declaration attached."
In fact, she had spent time in prison a few years ago for doing exactly what her "declaration attached" asserts innocence for....wait for the surprise..."arrested on charges of forging customs documents and smuggling of gas between 1995 and 1997 (while president of United Energy Systems of Ukraine) but was released several weeks later." [sorry for using her wikipedia page as source]
As JoP has mentioned, this is a much bigger game that we are being allowed to see. My theory is that the Russians are playing a long game of getting little changes from the Ukraine every year and now it is getting to a turning point...so, as order is put into the system, disorder comes blaring out as propaganda and corruption at all the seams. Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
