I've meant that Soviet Army could easily supress rebellions and protect civillians, but there were direct orders to local commanders (by Soviet Government) to not protect civillians and to remain neutral.

Hey rodcop where do you live

Murmansk

I would be interested in your position on the Baltic States.

Well, the policy in the Baltic states has Stalin and Russian chauvinism written all over it hasn't it? Though those Russian policies are now a thing of the past, the problems to this day remain. To bad that both sides are still letting nationalist fevor and historical emnity to block the path to a constructive solution to these mathers. Sincerely OplotMira

- Thomas Baltic States (ex-USSR Republics) - on one side, there is a REAL opression of Russian-speaking population (which is about 50% of overall population). The Russian language education is prohibited, Russian schools are being closed, youth meetings are being beaten by Police Riot units. Much of Russian-speaking population even hasnt citizenry. In the same time, SS-troops veterans are being held in great honor, monuments to them are being built etc.etc. On the other side, overall living conditions there are more suitable than in Russia, and even "opressed" Russians are not going to leave Estonia or Latvia. Also, there is a number of modern thinking people there (but may be not in their Parliaments) which understand that some conditions in Baltic States are afr from democratic. What is your qustion about? Are we going to move in our Tank Divisions and to drop paratroopers on Baltic capitals? Definitely not. But these countries should develope more friendly attitude to Russia (even if it is difficult for them). I must admit, we (Russia) have a large number of radical politicians (which we usually call fools or political clowns) like Zhirinovsky. These politicians like to talk about Russian Empire, strong military. They dream of revanshe on anyone who offended Russia in the past, but they are just this - clowns and idiots. On the other hand, such men have some power and influence, which sometimes scare me. The outbreak of sudden democracy (pseudo-democracy) and all-out freedom has lead to what situation we have now. And may be, you are right about Russian unpredictability... It will be tens of years to achieve real democracy, political and social stability, to solve inner problems (some of them are bloody). Sorry, many people now still vote for communists, radicals (almos open fascists) and for "iron hand". As I've already said in many posts here, it worries me. But I think, that Russia would regain its strength ONLY if we will achieve true democracy (which, in turn, will absolutely deny any possible threat to neigbouring countries). IMHO, if Russia will fall to "dark age" of totalitarism, it would never achieve needed economic power and social stability to threaten someone seriously. So, this was my view, rather chaotic, but sincere.

Thank You very much for Your exposition. I'm aware of the problems with the very large russian minority in Latvia and Estonia. I has been a consistent policy of Denmark, which at the moment is the closest country to the Baltic states, that these problems have to be solved - AND NOT BY ETHNIC CLEANSING. On the other hand these countries has great problems with russian gang criminals - and bitter memories. I hope the Danish reconcilliation experience with Germany can be of some help. Today the German minority Party cannot get access to to parliament, even using an exempt clause in the constitution. The Dansih minority in Germany is in electoral trouble, when the Conservatives and Social Democrats are really going at each other with hammer and tongs. In that case the particular interests of the minority are insignificant according to the voting population. But progress to this fortunate state has taken 150 YEARS. What we are afraid of is not the mainstream of the flawed democracy (which is far, far better than the former rule); but the "insane-colonel" scenario (he might be a general or something), this is a point where You share our concern. My point of being mistrustful of Russia is exactly to show the commies and nazies in Russia, that their policies are NOT an option, we've read their intentions long before they can get capabilities.