The Counter Revolution in Egypt, Do the ENDS justify the MEANS ?

The White House: Statement by the Press Secretary on recent mass trials and verdicts in Egypt, " The United States is deeply troubled by the continued use of mass trials and sentencing in Egypt, and particularly by today’s death sentence against 683 defendants.  Today’s verdict, like the one last month, defies even the most basic standards of international justice.  The Egyptian government has the responsibility to ensure that every citizen is afforded due process, including the right to a fair trial in which evidence is clearly presented, and access to an attorney.  While judicial independence is a vital part of democracy, this verdict cannot be reconciled with Egypt’s obligations under international human rights law.  Egyptian leaders must take a stand against this illogical action and dangerous precedent, recognizing that the repression of peaceful dissent will fuel the instability and radicalization that Egypt says it wishes to prevent.

We urge the Egyptian government to end the use of mass trials, reverse this and previous mass sentences, and ensure that every citizen is afforded due process.  Since the January 25 Revolution, the Egyptian people have aspired to be represented by a government that rules justly, respects their dignity, and provides economic opportunities. 

The United States supports these aspirations and wants Egypt’s transition to succeed.  A fair and transparent criminal justice system free of intimidation and political retribution is an important part of any democracy, and the Egyptian people deserve no less. "

Lets Get Real:

This blog has been tough on the Obama White House went it is doing the wrong thing, that is most of the time, but on this it is right, this blog supported the counter revolution against the Muslim Brotherhood and the violent clean up operation after, in this case and for good PR the new Cairo Government should show charity, kick the trouble makers out, one assumes someone will take them, external exile is as old as the hills, one assumes the US will pick up the cost.  When you have won, and it seen you have won, you can show mercy to the opposition, killing hundreds through legal means is JUST WRONG, and Egypt is better than that, so advice to Cairo, so mercy and get some good PR and throw the trouble makers out. 

Russian Thuggery IN East Ukraine - Ukraine Crisis Latest 3

Guardian: Reports on the following incident from East Ukraine, " An unknown number of people were injured in the eastern city of Donestk when a pro-Russian group wielding clubs attacked people marching in a pro-Kiev rally....A US official said OSCE observers have been subject to abusewhile being held in the state security service building in Slavyansk, and that Russia has done nothing to help them. Germany has asked Russia to use its influence to secure their release. "

Lets Get Real: 

The Russians must be wondering how they LOST the Cold War to such weak characters as the EU and the US, they put some of their special forces in and then pretended  that its locals that have taken over, very military looking locals with the latest weapons.   No has suggested so far sending in Troops to defend the Ukraine, but what about using covert forces to attack covert forces, as the Russians have said they are not there, why not use that against them, send in the US and UK Special Forces to CLEAN HOUSE or buildings.    Then bring in Ukraine special forces to take over when the TV news turn up, lets start kicking some Russian backsides, show them why the West WON the cold war, fight fire with fire or at least send small arms to help the Kiev Government. 

Russian BEAR LIES, - Ukraine Crisis Latest 2

BBC News: Reports the following from East Ukraine, " ..the mayor of Kharkiv, a city in eastern Ukraine, was shot and critically wounded.....Monday also saw pro-Russian separatists seize a local government building in Kostyantynivka, a town in the eastern Donetsk region. ".

Lets Get Real:

The Russians are spitting in the faces of the leaders of the West, they see Obama as weak and the EU unable to to the real hard stuff as Germany needs Russian gas for its economy, thus its only a matter of time before Russia either takes East Ukraine with troops or by its use of special forces it runs the East.   This is a short term victory for KGB Ptuin, this will force the West to support the West, as it is a real basket case in economic terms now, if it losses the East it will be in further trouble.   Of course Putin could be MAD and takes the whole of the Ukraine, then its a New Cold War 2, in a odd way this blog would be happy back in the Cold War, at least one knows the enemy, its the Russian Bear and its outreach claws. 

Further US sanctions on Russia - Ukraine Crisis Latest

The White House: Statement by the Press Secretary, " The United States has taken further action today in response to Russia’s continued illegal intervention in Ukraine and provocative acts that undermine Ukraine’s democracy and threaten its peace, security, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.  At the contact group meeting in Geneva on April 17, 2014, Russia, Ukraine, the United States, and the European Union decided on a number of steps to deescalate the situation in eastern Ukraine, including refraining from further violence or provocative acts.   Since April 17, Russia has done nothing to meet its Geneva commitments and in fact has further escalated the crisis.  Russia’s involvement in the recent violence in eastern Ukraine is indisputable.

The United States made clear it would impose additional costs on Russia if it failed live up to its Geneva commitments and take concrete steps to deescalate the situation in Ukraine.  Consequently, today the United States is imposing targeted sanctions on a number of Russian individuals and entities and restricting licenses for certain U.S. exports to Russia.  The Department of the Treasury is imposing sanctions on seven Russian government officials, including two members of President Putin’s inner circle, who will be subject to an asset freeze and a U.S. visa ban, and 17 companies linked to Putin’s inner circle, which will be subject to an asset freeze.  In addition, the Department of Commerce has imposed additional restrictions on 13 of those companies by imposing a license requirement with a presumption of denial for the export, re-export or other foreign transfer of U.S.-origin items to the companies.  Further, today the Departments of Commerce and State have announced a tightened policy to deny export license applications for any high-technology items that could contribute to Russia’s military capabilities.  Those Departments also will revoke any existing export licenses that meet these conditions.

The international community has been unified in its position that Russia must cease its illegal intervention and provocative actions in Ukraine.  The United States, working closely with its partners, remains prepared to impose still greater costs on Russia if the Russian leadership continues these provocations instead of de-escalating the situation, consistent with its Geneva commitments.  The executive order signed by the President on March 20, 2014, authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to impose sanctions on individuals and entities operating in key sectors of the Russian economy, such as financial services, energy, metals and mining, engineering, and defense.  If there is further Russian military intervention in Ukraine, we are prepared to sanction entities under this authority. "

Lets Get Real:

President Putin has admitted the sanctions will hurt, but Russia will get through it.  As history shows the then USSR got the nuclear bomb faster than people expected, it used foul means, but it got what it wanted, thus expect Russia to trade on the international black market from what it can not get from the West.   Putin is using the Ukraine to divert the attention of the people from the economic mess that is Russia, its a Country being kept afloat by OIL and its supply to West Europe.   The EU needs to create it own gas stream, what ever the green lobby states, it needs to cut Russia off at its knees, time to show the Russian bear that the honey bottle can be produced in other areas, that its time the Bear went back in to hibernation. 

Afghanistan Front News - Afghanistan Theatre

MOD:  Has announced the names of the Armed Forces Personnel killed due to an air crash in Afghanistan on 26th of April 2014, they were " Captain Thomas Clarke, Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan, Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner, Corporal James Walters and Lance Corporal Oliver Thomas ".

Lets Get Real:

Thus since 2001 the UK has lost 453 of its Armed Forces Personnel in Afghanistan, of that total it has lost 404 in combat/hostile action, while 49 have died due to illness, accidents or other incidents.   Lets hope they are never forgotten, that Afghanistan and Iraq do not fall in to the category of another Korea, Wars that are finished without a real solution even after the treasure spent  and men and women lost.