-Caveat Lector- Russian Jets Tested Over North Pole MOSCOW (AP) - Long-range Russian bombers flew over the North Pole and test fired strategic missiles during recent military exercises, a defense official said Monday. The exercises involving Tu-95 and Tu-160 bombers were conducted last week as part of military exercises code named ``West 99,'' air force spokesman Col. Alexander Drobyshevsky was quoted as saying by the ITAR-Tass news agency. The planes made 15-hour flights which took them over the Atlantic before heading to the Arctic and crossing the North Pole, the spokesman said. Long-range missiles were test fired and hit targets in southern Russia, he said. The six days of exercises, aimed at testing Russia's ability to withstand an attack along its western border, were among the largest maneuvers held in recent years. More than 30 ships, several nuclear powered submarines, 10,000 troops and a number of aircraft from Russia's Baltic Fleet took part in the exercises, which ended Saturday, the Defense Ministry said Monday Army units in western Russia and Belarus were also involved in the maneuvers. Russia insisted that the maneuvers were not connected to NATO's bombing raids in Yugoslavia, which officially ended June 16. But Moscow sees NATO as a threat, and the alliance's campaign raised calls in Russia to boost military spending. Moscow vehemently opposed NATO's air war against Yugoslavia and played a prominent role in mediating a peace plan for Kosovo. 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
