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Europe |
Lithuania's 'Iron Lady' positioned for victory amid Russia fears |
2014-05-12 |
Lithuanians go to the polls on Sunday to choose their president with incumbent "Iron Lady" Dalia Grybauskaite considered a shoo-in as fears rise over a resurgent Russia. The karate black belt is poised to win a second term as many here see her as a their best hope amid Europe's worst face-off with Moscow since the Cold War. The election comes as Russia's takeover of the Crimean peninsula and saber rattling in the neighbouring Russian exclave of Kaliningrad have sparked palpable fear in Lithuania. Elvyra Vaicaityte, a student living just outside of Kaliningrad, is spooked by military rumblings of military might in the Russian territory, sandwiched between Lithuania and fellow NATO member Poland. She said, "I can hear explosions during exercises, and windows often rattle -- I don't feel very secure." Grybauskaite has sworn to take up arms herself in case of Russian aggression. She said, "If there's a problem, I'll never flee abroad. I'll take a gun myself to defend the country if that what's needed for national security." Grybauskaite has backed the country's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal intended to ease the nation's total dependence for gas on Russia's Gazprom. She also sees Eurozone entry in 2015 as an economic buffer against Moscow. In contrast to her hard line, her center-left and populist rivals insist dialogue with Russia is crucial, and have focused more on social issues. Social Democrat Zigmantas Balcytis said, "We'll have to seek dialogue with Russia. Any kind of peace is better than a war." 29-year-old Vilnius entrepreneur Augustinas Vizbaras says Grybauskaite has his vote. He has also volunteered in a paramilitary unit that was part of Lithuania's WWII-era anti-Soviet resistance. He said, "We feel a Russian threat and I felt a civic duty to join the unit so that we prevent a repeat of a Ukraine scenario here." |
Posted by:ryuge |
#5 Let me guess IIRC, Israel aligned itself with the Soviet Union, until the USSR decided to back Egypt instead. |
Posted by: Pappy 2014-05-12 17:52 |
#4 You barked OS? |
Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2014-05-12 02:59 |
#3 Any kind of peace is better than a war. Oh really? That's sure to go down in history as a great statement. Compare and contrast... Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -- Patrick Henry |
Posted by: OldSpook 2014-05-12 02:14 |
#2 Grom, you see Nazi everywhere, except the mirror. You are officially a fucktard, and a traitor to your own - are you going to encourage the pogroms when they come? Will you do like Soros and sell your fellow Jews into the ovens? |
Posted by: OldSpook 2014-05-12 02:04 |
#1 a paramilitary unit that was part of Lithuania's WWII-era anti-Soviet resistance Let me guess. |
Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2014-05-12 01:25 |