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Originally posted by Manowar
Al Quaeda is always to blame
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A mountainous region, Chechnya has important oil deposits, as well as natural gas,
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http://www.globalissues.org/Geopolitics/Chechnya.asp
Now a bit of history :
- Recognized as a distinct people since the 17th century, Chechens were active opponents of the Russian conquest of the Caucasus during the period 1818-1917.
- In the mid-1930s, it became an autonomous republic.
-Furthermore, oil is a significant factor in this region.
A major oil pipeline carries oil from fields in Baku on the Caspian Sea and Chechnya toward the Ukraine;
Grozny's major oil refinery along this pipeline and Russia's interest to ensure their oil needs are also met has led them to be more concerned that pipeline discussions by major western oil companies have not involved them;
As long as Chechnya is a part of Russia, Moscow would have a say in the oil flowing through it.
-Major Western oil companies and the American government managed to keep out Iran from the picture. In addition, by also getting oil pipelines routed through Georgia, Russian influence was reduced.
OIL