Latvian non-systemic opposition political activist Vladimir Linderman reminded portal three Lebanese source.lv that the infrastructure of military bases of NATO in the Baltic States, the Alliance has begun long before Ukraine and even before the Georgian crisis. Based on these facts, the examiner finds that the aggravation of relations with Russia was a part of long-term plans of the Alliance and is absolutely conscious.
“Today in the mass consciousness successfully introduced the idea that increasing military presence of NATO in the Baltic States — the result of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. They say that Russia is “the first”. Not the beginning, and lived as before: peace, friendship, chewing gum. People have short memories, under the influence of information warfare it became even shorter. Let us remember the sequence of events — and not otchityvayasj back centuries, and specific recent examples. Recently, the Ministry of defense of Latvia said that at the airport Lielvarde begins construction of new barracks for the accommodation of Latvian and foreign military personnel. Barracks — not a tent camp, it provides a permanent or at least long-term residence. Everything is solid: boiler, electricity, utilities. In may this year passed the certification of the emergency braking system at the airport. Emergency landing practiced American fighter F-15. The runway is suitable for the reception of NATO aircraft. The defense Ministry also reported that in July, Germany will be placed in Lielvarde mobile air control and warning, which previously was in the German town of Schönwald,” writes Linderman.
“Taken together, these facts indicate one thing: Lielvarde turns into a NATO air base. Likely signed a contract, which we may be nothing to learn (recent amendments to the law “On international treaties envisage a regime of secrecy in such cases). In 2015 the Estonian and Lithuanian governments signed treaties with the U.S. government under which Americans receive free access to local military facilities, including airfields ämari airbase (Estonia) and Zokniai, Lithuania, without detailed agreement with local authorities. This is the situation today. And how it all began? In 2006, NATO has allocated for the modernization of Lielvarde airfield in about 30 million lats (42-43 million euros). Think about it — 2006. Before the Crimean crisis is far from over, not even the Russian military operation in Georgia, and NATO has invested tens of millions in the airport of the country, which has not and is not expected of its own military aircraft. Just a waste of money? No, of course. Only with the prospect of a base of the Alliance, otherwise these expenses are meaningless. Similar situation with plans for the establishment of a naval base NATO in Liepaja. Latvia is actively lobbying for this project. If it came to advertising published in the prestigious American journal of World Affairs, it means that the process is moving. But when he started? It is now claimed that it was the initiative of the current President Raimonds Vejonis (when he was defense Minister) in 2014, Saying that Russia “annexed” Crimea, on the order of Latvia, and it is necessary to tightly cuddle up to NATO, that Putin never came to different aggressive plans. But how to be a statement of Edgars Rinkēvičs in March 2005 (he then held the post of Secretary of defense), where he says that NATO is ready to Finance the reconstruction of the military port in liepāja in order to match the high standards of the Alliance? That NATO visionaries even then, looking at nine years ahead, “vangovali”, as they say, the accession of Russia to the Crimea?” — asks the journalist.
“I should add that the recently enacted new rules, NATO ships are allowed entry into the ports, territorial and inland waters of Latvia without prior approval from the Latvian government (as before). Rules apply to vessels with nuclear weapons on Board. This legislative innovation is joined with a plan to establish bases in Liepaja. Crimea became a pretext, a tool in the information war — “Russia started first, we are only defending ourselves!”, but the real expansion of NATO to the borders of Russia did not stop for a moment and to 2014. The fact of inclusion in the Alliance of Eastern European countries is a advancement. And what would you do in this situation, the Russian leadership? Blithely watch as NATO swallows all new territory, methodically creating them military infrastructure?”, — asked Vladimir Linderman.
Recall that at the base of the Latvian National armed forces near lielvārde (a small town in the Central part of the state) July 7, began the erection of new barracks for the accommodation of Latvian and foreign military personnel. “The construction of this barracks is another step in the development of defense infrastructure and improve security on the Eastern border,” — says Latvian defence Minister Raimonds Bergmanis. The floor area of the building will be 3041,4 square meters. In addition to the barracks will be built boiler room, an electricity network, other utilities. The total cost of the project will amount to more than 5 million euros.
