The other side to Ukraine civil war

Roy Ramage writes: Re. “‘We don’t know what to do’: Ukraine’s desperate cry for help” (Friday). Charles Mcphedran relays a one-sided view on what is happening in Ukraine. The horror is that this country is not just bankrupt financially, but politically as well. The brawling in what attempts to pass as Parliament is on regular public display. The country is in the grip of a civil war between the western Ukraine government and the largely Russian population of east Ukraine, who in at least one instance have understandably voted for independence.

Ukraine owes Russia at least $2 billion for the gas that not only heats the country in winter, but also much of Europe. The world has been quick to condemn Russia, but I fear that truth, as the first casualty of war, has been drowned out by the desperate measures undertaken by another failed state.

The British experts who have had ample time to decipher Flight MH17’s black box are strangely silent. Why? Now it is reported that Ukraine has accepted an $18b illion IMF bailout. Why not an EU financial rescue? Is it because of US diplomat Victoria Nuland’s “Fuck the EU” comment indicating that Uncle Sam may have more than a passing interest in Ukraine’s energy future?

In our rush to help Uncle Sam we have instituted trade sanctions against Russia. This has already cost us millions — possibly unnecessarily.

Richard Middleton writes: This is a shoddy propaganda. Where is the clear proof of any such Russian invasion?

Crimeans coted to stay with Russia, and it is the neo-neocon backed putschist puppets in Kiev who are attacking and killing their obstinate countrymen in the east. To do this they have the enthusiastic and active support of the neo-Nazis of Svoboda/Right Sector, using thugs such as the Azov battalion. Why no mention of this?

Why no mention of the fact that Russia now faces the very real threat of a real invasion, talked up by useful idiots in the Western media and political positions? Why no analysis of the murderous false flag attack on MH17, shot down by the forces from Kiev, as a justification for NATO to intervene? It was a prelude and cover for an attack upon Russia and more Western-sanctioned “regime change”. Fortunately for all of us, that vicious plan became unstuck as more and more informed lies were revealed.

Where is the leadership on the NBN?

David Thackrah writes: Re. “Broadband is just a toy for bored geeks, right?” (Friday). The hybrid NBN plan is consigning Australians to becoming uncompetitive in large industries, mining and importantly our ability to defend Australia.

Rural dwellers will become so disappointed with the tyranny of distance they will move to cities further causing decline in rural centres. The vacant land in Australia is already a defence hazard. Money spent on maintaining the 100-year-old PMG wires will simply be wasted. Capital will be directed elsewhere when farming and mining find communications are becoming “third world”.

We have to regain the “guts” that was exhibited on July 16, 1896 when the then Premier of Western Australia introduced a bill raising a loan of 2.5 million pounds (English) to construct the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme. What would that be worth today ?

Not only did the mining bloom, but the regions the pipe passed through, drew from the resource, and many country towns expanded in the pristine wheatbelt. Presently we see little of this development adventuring under the current government.