Russian Marines Come Ashore At Tartus Naval Base
[Should we think of the Russian marines landing at Tartus Naval Base will prove to be an updated replay of the Russian/British/NATO standoff which took place at Slatina airfield in Pristana, Kosovo in 1999? In the Kosovo confrontation, it has been reported that only high stakes diplomacy prevented an order for an air assault to take control of the airport away from the occupying Russian troops, given by the commander of NATO forces, Gen. Wesley Clark (SEE:NATO general ordered military assault on Russian troops at end of Yugoslav war). In both Yugoslavia and Syria, Russia took a risky stand, to block an insane NATO attempt to seal the fate of another Russian ally. In both cases, Russia was treated as a "spoiler," for daring to stand in the way of another Imperial aggression, with the Clintons leading smear campaigns in both cases, to blackmail Russian leaders into submission to their "fate accompli." Perhaps Putin has this previous embarrassment in mind, or the series of NATO double-crosses since then, as he lands his marines at Tartus, preparing to interfere with the next intervention outside of UN authority about to be made by the Evil Empire. There is always hope.]
June 12 – Russian troops enter Pristina 3-1/2 hours before NATO troops enter Kosovo. Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov says deployment was an “unfortunate mistake” and troops have been ordered to leave; they take up position at Pristina airport. – British NATO troops enter Kosovo at dawn to begin taking control from withdrawing Serbian forces; they reach Pristina in the afternoon. French and U.S. troops also enter Kosovo. – Yeltsin promotes commander of Russian forces in Kosovo. Russian and British forces in standoff over control of airport.
June 16 – A nine-vehicle Russian military convoy enters Pristina airport, joining up with 200 Russian troops already there.
