Britannia Radio

Russia shakes its nuclear arsenal in Poland's direction
There are reckless aggressors in the Kremlin it seems. Not content
with wandering at will over Georgia destroying any facilities they
think might enable Georgia to defend itself after promising to
withdraw, they are now rattling their nuclear arsenal because Poland
is installing ANTI-MISSILE missiles. There has long been an
invitation to Russia to examine the installations which have no
offensive capability at all .

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TELEGRAPH 15/16.8.08
(online at 8.42 pm 15/8; print 16.8.08)
Foreign Office condemns Russian threats as David Cameron flies to
Georgia
The Foreign Office has condemned Russian threats of nuclear strikes
against Poland.

By Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent

A spokesman said: "Threats such as these against our EU and Nato
Allies are completely unacceptable and unhelpful, especially at the
present time."
The criticism was echoed by MPs, who warned of the potential for a
major escalation in the diplomatic crisis.

But there was no word from either Gordon Brown or David Miliband, the
Foreign Secretary, who have both been criticised for failing to speak
out over the situation in Georgia in recent days.

Stephen Pound, Labour MP for Ealing North and Secretary of the All-
Party Parliamentary Group on Poland, said: "It seems as if the
Russian bear is intent on gobbling everyone else up at the moment.
"What Russia needs to remember is that, unlike Georgia, Poland is a
member of Nato and it follows that the rest of the members have a
guarantee to protect it.
"If Russia did take military action, it would be the second time in
100 years that a world war began over Poland, and that would be
absolutely heartbreaking."

Mark Francois, shadow minister for Europe, added: "We fully support
the Polish Government's right to site a missile defence system in
their country.
"This system is clearly designed to counter the potential threat to
Europe's security from states such as Iran, and the Russians well
know this.
"No other country, including Russia, can have a veto over our
security and that of our allies."

Geraldine Smith, Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale and a member
of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poland, said: "It is very
worrying and a very dangerous situation, because these things have a
habit of escalating. Everyone should take a stop back and think of
the possible repercussions."

David Cameron is taking advantage of the silence from senior Labour
politicians to travel to Georgia, where he is expected to warn Russia
to respect its neighbour's territorial integrity.

During his trip, Mr Cameron will meet political leaders in the
capital Tbilisi and assess the political situation there.

He is said to feel that Mr Miliband and Mr Brown have been "off the
mark" with their response to events in Georgia and wishes to contrast
their decision to take a "diplomatic backseat" with his own eagerness
to travel to the region.

The Prime Minister's spokesman said Mr Brown had spoken to Georgian
President Mikheil Saakashvili following his talks with Condoleezza
Rice, as well as French President Nicolas Sarkozy, US President
George Bush, President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia and UN Secretary
General Ban Ki-Moon.

He added: "The Prime Minister described Russia's incursion into
Georgia as a completely unjustified violation of Georgia's
territorial integrity. Russian forces must withdraw immediately.
"He welcomed President Saakashvili's commitment to implement the
peace agreement without delay.
"The Prime Minister pledged the UK's ongoing support for humanitarian
relief for the people of Georgia. Through the Red Cross and the EU
the UK has already contributed to meeting immediate humanitarian
needs."

(online at 6.41 pm 15/8)

Russian general says Poland a nuclear 'target'
Poland has made itself a nuclear target for Russia’s military by
hosting elements of a US anti-missile system, a senior Russian
general warned.

By Damien McElroy in Tbilisi

General Anatoly Nogovitsyn said that Russia’s military doctrine
sanctions the use of nuclear weapons 'against the allies of countries
having nuclear weapon'

As Condoleezza Rice arrived in Georgia to finalise a peace deal and
secure the withdrawal of Russian troops from the former Soviet state,
Moscow issued the direct threat to another US ally.

“Poland is making itself a target. This is 100 percent certain”,
Russia’s Interfax news agency quoted General Anatoly Nogovitsyn as
saying.
“It becomes a target for attack. Such targets are destroyed as a
first priority,” Gen Nogovitsy was quoted as saying.

He added that Russia’s military doctrine sanctions the use of nuclear
weapons “against the allies of countries having nuclear weapons if
they in some way help them,” Interfax said