MH17: Russia furious at 'unacceptable' Tony Abbott comments
MARK KENNY
Moscow has voiced anger over being blamed by Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the downing of a Malaysia passenger jet over eastern Ukraine that killed all 298 people on board, calling his comments "unacceptable".
"Without bothering himself about evidence and operating only on speculation, Mr T. Abbott assigned guilt," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "Abbott's statements are unacceptable."
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The forceful comments came after Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop emerged from a meeting with Russia's ambassador to Australia Vladimir Morozov, to reveal Moscow had denied the involvement of pro-Russian rebels and attempted to lay the blame at Ukraine's feet.
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The atrocity has sparked questions over why the Malaysian carrier was still using a flight path over the Ukrainian war zone, when other airlines, including Qantas, had changed their flight paths in recent months due to an increase in the intensity of fighting in the area.
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Peter Jennings, executive director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said direct military action was unlikely, though the West could look at providing military equipment to the Ukrainians.
"It's a serious geopolitical issue. It lifts Russia back to being the bad boy threat of the Soviet days," he said.
"[But] neither NATO nor the US has an appetite to do anything on the ground. It would be a combination of tougher sanctions and more open support of Ukrainians, for example, providing them with their own military hardware."
One example might be to provide the Ukrainians with Patriot anti-missile batteries, as the the Ukrainian air force does not have strong self-defence capabilities.
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...extracts only...
SOURCE - stuff.co.nz - here.--------------------------------------------------------
Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) - ACT location
'Think tank' ... formed & mostly funded by the Australian Government
But is 'independent'
Role of:
- developing ideas on Australia's defence and strategic policy
- informing the public on defence and strategic policy issues
Peter Jennings (former Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence)
[wikipedia]
COMMENT
Not surprised Russia isn't impressed with Abbott's melodramatics.
* US will probably arm Ukraine govt ... to secure US investment to date
* US & buddies will probably amp up the anti-Russian sanctions
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