The Blood of Europe

[Giuseppe]

Any kind of decision will be taken to resolve in favor of one among the several powers interested in the fate of Ukraine, a thing is certain: a war here, at the heart of Europe, will unconditionally mean hundreds of thousands of lives lost, an economic disaster both in the east and in the European Union and years of social turmoils and blood.

Is this the kind of future EU/NATO/US/Russia politicians are preparing for our children?

No thanks.

We have already seen the immense loss, the waste of human lives in almost two decades of 'regional' wars, in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Horn of Africa, Sudan and Syria. For not saying the decade-long massacre in the Balkans, the former Yugoslavijia.

We have to recognize the small stature of most of the political individuals we have to manage with, the unfinished unification of the EU, the lack of basic freedom and rights in some of the former USSR states and the continuing attempts from some parts of NATO members to destabilize a fragile Equilibrium in the historical crucible of Europe.

Wars are easy to start but very hard to end, and in the midst, millions of people - the overwhelming majority cilivians, and among them, the most frails, children, old people, those ill - suffer for any kind of deprivation, violence and pain.

Here at FT we look for infectious diseases, and such disaster are much more frequent in dilapidated regions where health infrastructures, materials and drugs lack because of violence.

I think personally that a good service for all involved in tracking and alerting of the danger of the new emerging health threat is to oppose firmly to any act of mass violence - such war and other meat grinders situations.

My view may not represent FluTrackers.com position, that is not responsbile for this commentary.

GM

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: The Blood of Europe

Please see:

"Approximately a half million deaths in Iraq could be attributable to the war."

PLoS Med. Mortality in Iraq Associated with the 2003?2011 War and Occupation: Findings from a National Cluster Sample Survey by the University Collaborative Iraq Mortality Study link

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Pope Francis: War is Always a Defeat for Humanity


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South Sudan conflict: 3.7m in 'need of food', says UN


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"Humanitarian relief will always be required, and there is a demonstrable need, as in other areas of global health, to place greater emphasis on prevention and mitigation."

NEJM - Natural Disasters, Armed Conflict, and Public Health link


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"More than 100,000 people have been killed since fighting began between Syrian Government forces and opposition groups seeking to oust President Bashar Al-Assad. Almost 2 million have fled to neighbouring countries and a further 4 million have been internally displaced."

Syria: Head of independent UN panel appeals to Member States to end relentless carnage link


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La situation en Ukraine dans certains articles en fran?ais:

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3083

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: The Blood of Europe

Currently there are several active flash points in the world, notably in Middle East, Horn of Africa and Beyond:

1. Former Serb Province of Kosovo (civil unrests, crime syndicates activities (illicit drugs trade, migrants, prostitutions);
2. Syria civil war;
3. Iraq civil war;
4. Afghanistan foreign invasion and civil war;
5. Pakistan terrorists actions;
6. Yemen terrorists actions;
7. Somalia unrests;
8. South Sudan civil war / confrontation with Sudan;
9. Egypt turmoils;
10. Algeria / Tunisia / Morocco internal sectarian violence;
11. Greece / Portugal / Spain / Italy / Ireland deep recession, poverty, collapse of industrial infrastructure and welfare state;
12. Lebanon unrests;
13. China / Japan confrontation;
14. China / India confrontation;
15. Venezuela unrests;
16. Central African regions sectarian violence and foreign (France) intervention;
17. Caucasus regions terror Attacks and bloody retaliations;

More and more Others...

Poverty, migrants enslavement in some Arabic Gulf States, basic rights violations in several regions and countries in Europe, M.E., Africa & Asia.

No one of these crises are addressed in proper manner and almost universally the ground is 'infected' with: oil, methane, gold, diamonds, uraniun, rare earths, 'blue gold' (water), agricultural resources.

Despite the fanfare about 'shale gas' and other non-renewable resources in some mature economies, these fundamental resources are at the basis of the battles between major blocks even the XXI century.

In the midst, millions continue to suffer Beyond imagination, in an unbearable manner, without fresh water and enough food for children and pregnant women. Doctors and nurses struggle to care with the few materials they have and testify every day the huge Death toll of all these 'unnoticed' victims of this century 'freedom to die' way of life (or Death).

We passed through the M.A.D. times and hardly we could repeat the experience. Climate changes and extreme weather events make all things worse for all.

Is it now the time for good willing people to say clear and loud that 'NOT WE DO NOT WANT WAR ANYMORE'?

GM

 

[gsgs]

Re: The Blood of Europe

my feeling is, that deaths from war, disasters are currently low

do we have a chart ?

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: The Blood of Europe

Direct deaths due to wars may be well lower than those from infectious or non-communicable diseases but the overall impact of violence in vast regions of the world on health of ten millions of people is great.

Because violence (wars, civil unrests, sectarian violence, etc.) causes:

-- economic recession, collapse of societal structure and demographic imbalances;

-- loss of investment in education increases children labor and enslavement or child-soldiers;

-- health care infrastructure collpase or dilapidated by financial default of states and regions;

-- increased morbidity and mortality among children, pregnant women, elderly people due to welfare system destruction;

-- persistent environmental damages (ie bombing of chemical plants, use of depleted uranium bullets, destruction of sewage treatment system, of water mains, loss electric power supply for pumping stations, etc.);

-- animal and plant diseases spread due to underfunded veterinarian and agriculture agencies.

-- ...

The list of consequences of armed violence between states and among civilians is long and the best way to protect people in the affected areas and Beyond is to avoid these such idiot behaviours by all parties involved.

I have the impression that - even the affluent countries - are doing very little to prevent armed conflicts even at their border and thus their citizens risk the fall-out of the above mentioned disasters.

GM

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: The Blood of Europe

my feeling is, that deaths from war, disasters are currently low

do we have a chart ?

Deaths from war are 100% preventable - unlike disease.

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: The Blood of Europe

A war at the heart of Europe would have immense consequences for the entire continent and Beyond.

Even if the Russian cruise missiles would not be armed by nuclear bombs but with conventional explosives, they can 'erase' entire regions where NATO bases are built.

It is unconveivable that European Leaders are not running to stop the disaster and not - instead - to fuel it with inflamed statements.

Think-tanks in some specialistic reviews are already preparing US military intervention scenarios.

If a such event should materialized a Worldwide conflagration may happen.

Despite the overconfidence expressed by the G7 (not this great affair) Members that ''all the world's power are unite'', I don't think other BRICS and non-aligned countries will follow this madness into full blown support to an US-NATO-EU intervention in Ukraine.

Stop the plans before too late!

GM

 

[Emily]

Re: The Blood of Europe

my feeling is, that deaths from war, disasters are currently low

do we have a chart ?

I don't think an honest chart could come between two such good friends as war and disease.

http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~bioe301/kortum/class/students/hw/deadly_comrades.pdf

Deadly comrades: war and infectious diseases
M?ire A Connolly, David L Heymann

And don't forget the deaths from the economic warfare we call 'sanctions':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4PgpbQfxgo

 

[Emily]

Re: The Blood of Europe

http://news.sky.com/story/1215842/luxury-revealed-as-yanukovych-flees-palace

Luxury Revealed As Yanukovych Flees Palace
11:34pm UK, Saturday 22 February 2014

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: The Blood of Europe

I would like to invite reporters to the former Italian Prime Minister S. Berlusconi (also a close friend of G. W. Bush jr, T. Blair, & Putin) luxury residences in: Caribbeans, Bermuda, Sardinia (with artificial volcano), Como Lake (near Mr G. Clooney villa) and almost an other dozen of such Amazing places.

Also it may be useful to visit residences of Western Countries closest allies in the Gulf such as those in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait.

To remind that politicians aren't empy bellies as their populations at any corner of the globe, and these images are pure and simple propaganda.

War destroys all things, and the poorests will become more poor and the richest more rich.

Then, journalists 'embedded' do not update about livelihood in some 'free' new democracies such as in Iraq or in Libya, or even in Greece or in Sardinia (where local parishes have to feed residents, currently experiencing malnourishment, due to the austerity policies imposed by ECB/EU/italian govt...).

Bitter rant, but needed.

GM

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: The Blood of Europe

Apparently the ruling junta in Saudi Arabia has 10 mansions they don't maintain on "Billionaires Row" in London.

'Billionaires Row': inside Hampstead palaces left empty for decades
On The Bishops Avenue houses worth tens of millions of pounds lay derelict in a spectacular example of waste and profligacy


http://www.theguardian.com/money/20...s-row-hampstead-palaces-empty-london-property

 

[gsgs]

Re: The Blood of Europe

I found: http://www.systemicpeace.org/conflict.htm

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: The Blood of Europe

A feature of the current crisis in Ukraine is that the complete enslavement of media (both sides) to the warmongerings is obscuring the real, actual threat to all populations involved: the war.

I think it is profoundly irresponsible even from some Western World Leaders to fuel current tensions, a relic of the old Cold War.

What this the clue? How far they want to arrive?

What is the point of a such escalation of events, now, in the XXI century when all these democratic leaders babbled for years about the achievement of a new era of freedom and peace and the final 'liberation' from nuclear conflict spectre?

And, where is the scientific establishment, so ready at any chicken sneeze to cry wolf about new chemical, biological warfare?

Good willing people cannot remain silent longer, not during a so loud call for war from mainstream 'free'' world media.

GM

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: The Blood of Europe

In Europe, top UN officials press for diplomatic solution to Ukraine crisis

4 March 2014 ? As the situation in Ukraine remains in flux, senior United Nations officials in the region and elsewhere in Europe continue to push for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressing the need for calm and international unity in the pursuit of peace.

Mr. Ban, who is on an official visit to Geneva, met today with Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Foreign Minister of Germany. According to the UN chief?s spokesman, the two officials discussed the urgent need to de-escalate tensions in Ukraine and facilitate dialogue for a peaceful resolution.

This meeting, in which the Secretary-General and the German Minister agreed that all diplomatic channels must be more actively pursued, follows talks yesterday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during which Mr. Ban reiterated that ?it is critical to ensure full respect for ? and the preservation of ? Ukraine?s independence, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.?

After months of political unrest, triggered by the Government?s decision last November not to sign an agreement on broader integration with the European Union (EU), Ukraine?s capital, Kiev erupted in violent demonstrations in recent weeks, culminating with the removal by Parliament of President Viktor Yanukovych. Tensions have been mounting in recent days in the Crimea region, where additional Russian troops and armoured vehicles have reportedly been deployed.

The fluid situation led the Security Council to convene an urgent meeting on Saturday, at which the 15-member body was briefed by UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, who said key sites in Crimea such as airports, communications and public buildings, including the regional parliament, reportedly continue to be blocked by unidentified armed men.

There are further reports of armed personnel taking control of regional administration buildings in several cities in the East and South of Ukraine.

At the request of the Secretary-General, Mr. Eliasson travelled on Sunday to Ukraine to assess the situation on the ground. Today, according to a UN spokesperson, he met with the acting President, Prime Minister and acting Foreign Minister.

In his meetings, Mr. Eliasson stressed the need for calm and international unity in the pursuit of peace. He also reiterated the Secretary-General's call that Ukraine's territorial integrity should be respected and preserved. Mr. Eliasson also held meetings with diplomatic representatives in Kiev. The Deputy Secretary-General will continue his mission in Ukraine tomorrow.

As part of the mission, Mr. Eliasson has asked UN Special Advisor Robert Serry, who has been in the region since last week, to travel to crisis-gripped Crimea in order to take stock of and evaluate the situation there. Mr. Serry is now departing Kiev and should arrive shortly in Crimea, the spokesperson added.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47273&Cr=ukraine&Cr1=

 

[Emily]

Re: The Blood of Europe

I would like to invite reporters to the former Italian Prime Minister S. Berlusconi (also a close friend of G. W. Bush jr, T. Blair, & Putin) luxury residences in: Caribbeans, Bermuda, Sardinia (with artificial volcano), Como Lake (near Mr G. Clooney villa) and almost an other dozen of such Amazing places.

Also it may be useful to visit residences of Western Countries closest allies in the Gulf such as those in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait.

To remind that politicians aren't empy bellies as their populations at any corner of the globe, and these images are pure and simple propaganda.

War destroys all things, and the poorests will become more poor and the richest more rich.

Then, journalists 'embedded' do not update about livelihood in some 'free' new democracies such as in Iraq or in Libya, or even in Greece or in Sardinia (where local parishes have to feed residents, currently experiencing malnourishment, due to the austerity policies imposed by ECB/EU/italian govt...).

Bitter rant, but needed.

GM

Truth is often bitter, Giuseppe. I agree that photo layout looks slanted, but to me it said the palace 'tourists' shown would benefit from a good museum more than they would from a war. I'd say the same for U.S. citizens. The entrance fee for a new U.S. museum needs to be low and there needs to be affordable public transportation to move people to the new museum. I know quite a few middle-aged workers who have taken a beating after their jobs were exported up north under NAFTA. Most lost good health insurance, but they are forgotten as Kerry offers a billion loan guarantee to yet another 'friend.'

I'm not in favor of sanctions against Russia, since as Madeleine Albright was honest enough to admit in that interview I linked to above, sanctions starve children. (And probably the elderly.) Putin will continue to eat well, so what is the point even if he is in the wrong?

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/article/Photo-UK-discourages-talk-of-Russia-sanctions-5284913.php

Photo: UK discourages talk of Russia sanctions
Updated 11:34 am, Monday, March 3, 2014

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: The Blood of Europe

It remains to establish a consensus on how to resolve international disputes without armed conflicts.

UN is not able to resolve anything, as clearly demonstrated as early as Balkan wars erupted and then in other bloody confrontations. The most recent disaster in Syria is a shame for the Whole international community.

Western 'free' democracies must remind that - despite the fanfare about humanitarian interventions Beyond their borders - peace is difficult to achieve if the same countries continue to ammass ammunition and high technology warfare systems, such as the newly commissioned MUOS radar station in Sicily.

As for Russia, they feel the pressure and the inherited post-USSR demographic decline is menacing the survival as independent state. China pressures at borders to silently enclose other central asian formes USSR federated states.

Recognizing that is difficult for a Russian premier to swallow a NATO bases at 150 miles from Moscow, EU/US leaders should think coldly before talking about sanctions, explusion from the (derelict) G8 'club' or direct military aid to a former territory of Russian Empire (since 1917) and then of USSR (until its collapse, 1991).

GM

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: The Blood of Europe

[Source: The Lancet, full page: (LINK). Extract.]


The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 4 March 2014

doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60425-6

Copyright ? 2014 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.

Ukraine: not only a matter of geopolitics

Original Text

Johan P Mackenbach a, Adrianna Murphy b, Martin McKee b
_____

Ukraine is once again at a political crossroads. Like many of the world's troubled nations, its present-day borders reflect historical events that paid little attention to the national identities of those involved, such as the westward expansion after World War 2 into what had been Polish territory, and Nikita Khrushchev's unexpected 1954 gift from Russia to Ukraine of Crimea. Just like Russia itself, which at different times has looked to the east or west,1 the people of Ukraine have struggled to come to terms with two different identities.2 During the 20th century the geopolitical situation placed Ukraine firmly in the east, linked to Russia economically, culturally, and politically, but this century many Ukrainian people have turned their attention to the west. The outcome of this ongoing struggle will have profound effects on the health of the Ukrainian population.

(?)
_____

a Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, 3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands; b European Centre on Health of Societies in Transition, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK


-
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[gsgs]

Re: The Blood of Europe

one interesting thing that I observed in such crisises is the desire to "keep face"
of the politicians. They don't want to step back from earlier statements or demands,
even if new evidence or new political considerations makes it reasonable.

So we must find some sort of language, some change of conditions and exchanges
for lost demands that makes it easier for them to step back without it becoming
obvious that they did so.

The art of diplomacy and language.


Now, it seems that all parties want a united, stable Ukraine, elections,
no violence.
Well, they want different parties to win the election and are doing
some campaigning already.
Whether the Russion intervention was legitimate seems to make
no difference wrt. that final goal, it's only for good/bad public relations.

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: The Blood of Europe

Armed men in Crimea threaten UN envoy; Ban dispatches human rights official to Ukraine

5 mars 2014 ? The United Nations has confirmed that Senior Advisor Robert Serry is in good shape physically after being threatened today during his visit to Crimea, Ukraine, by armed men who ordered him to leave the region.

?He was met outside the main naval headquarters by a number of unidentified men who were saying that he should leave Crimea and go to the airport,? Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told reporters in New York, as he briefed via telephone from the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.

Mr. Serry apparently returned to his vehicle, and when the car could not drive away, he walked back to his hotel accompanied by a UN colleague.
?On his way to the hotel he stopped by a cafe to call me, and that?s when we talked,? said Mr. Eliasson.

Mr. Serry, who was dispatched to Crimea to take stock of the situation there, had been relying on Ukrainian authorities for security. He was threatened but not kidnapped, the deputy UN chief stressed.
?He expects that all authorities that have control of the situation will continue to guarantee his safe return to the hotel and continued work. Otherwise, he will be forced to come back to Kiev to continue his work from here.?

A UN spokesperson later confirmed that Mr. Serry is taking a flight out of Simferopol and will return to Kiev to continue his mission.

In Kiev, Mr. Eliasson has continued to meet with authorities, stressing the need for calm and international unity in the pursuit of peace amid the ongoing crisis in the country.

?I don?t think I?ve ever made so many references to the UN Charter,? he told reporters in reference to UN Charter principles of unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Mr. Eliasson is known to carry a copy of the Charter with him at all times, and was earlier today photographed holding up the little blue booklet while calling for a de-escalation of tensions between Kiev and Moscow.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is on an official visit to Sierra Leone, has announced that he is sending Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan ?imonovic to Kiev and the eastern part of Ukraine, including Crimea, to monitor the human rights situation. Mr. ?imonovic is expected to travel to Crimea over the weekend.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47281&Cr=ukraine&Cr1=

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: The Blood of Europe

Before continuing to fuel the Ukraine-Russia crisis, until the war will finally be declared, West 'free' Democracies should answer to their citizens some questions:

1) Has the NATO-led intervention in Iraq (1991, 2003-to date) violated international law? How many civilians have been killed by 'democratic' jet fighters?

2) Has the US/NATO-led intervention in Afghanistan (2003-to date) violated international law? How many civilians have been killed by 'democratic' jet fighters?

3) Has the 'democratic' Israeli Army violated international law during Gaza Strip invasion (more than 1000 civilians deaths) and during Lebanon attack?

4) Has the Obama 'freedom' drone killings violated human rights in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, etc.?

I do not understand the consensus among mainstream media in supporting de-facto a NATO/US intervention in Ukraine that will mean a blood bath never seen since the end of WWII.

People have to care the future of their nations and this include the immediate cessation of the war escalation in Ukraine.

Russia will not recede from these territories (such as Krim) without a direct confrontation with the new 'enemy'.

The pitytful stance of EU Member States to not prosecuting neonazis Attacks in the eastern part of Ukraine is absolutely unbelievable.

We do not want a war in Europe. We do not want hundreds of thousands of deaths. W do want war propaganda into internet, television and other media.

Please, stop to fuel a disaster before too late.

Are we under the control of a bunch of insane politicians?

GM