-Caveat Lector- A good point. --J2 ======================= ubject: The Suez Canal of Eastern Europe Date: Mon, 29 Mar 1999 11:16:29 -0500 From: Wojtek Sokolowski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I would like to thank Greg Nowell for his argument pinning the causes of the current conflict in Yugoslavia to the strategic role of the Danube in European trade. This is the first materialist explanation on this lists that explains why Europeans are int his conflict ("imperialist interests of the bourgeoisie"? -- sorry but that sounds like religious exhortations). In fact, the politics of the Danube are behind other (much smaller) conflicts in the region (e.g. between Hungary and Slovakia) as well as Western European influence peddling aka environmentalism. If that interpretation is correct, the current conflict is an example of Marx's dictum of history happening, as it were, twice - first time as tragedy the second time as farce. The nationalisation of the Suez Canal in 1956 by Nasser led to a subsequent military intervention of Britain and France in Egypt. If Greg's explanation is true, that situation repeats itself in Yugoslavia as farce - because what is going on right now is not a serious war (which would require the committment of serious ground forces) but terror bombing aiming to achieve mainly a psychological effect. That may also explain the complacency of Russia - which clearly may see its economic interest in the Danube commerce. Well done, Greg (even though I'd take exception to some of your views on bourgeois democracy). A few follow up questions: 1. What is the current and projected flow of commercial traffic on the Danube? 2. Who are the main current and prospective actors? 3. If the Belgrade regime is, in fact, blocking the Danube commercial traffic, why are they doing that? What commercial or political interests of theirs such behaviour serves? Cheers, Wojtek DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om