Thursday, November 13, 2014

Russia Sends Convoy Of Warships To Australia For G20 Summit



US Kept A Close Watch On Russian Navy Fleet Heading For Australian Waters Which Are Believed To Be Acting On Orders To Spy On Leaders At G20 Summit -- Daily Mail

* Russian fleet is reportedly on its way into Australian waters
* It is understood to be a sign of solidarity with the Russian president
* Australian intelligence believe Russian vessels will spy on G20 leaders
* It is understood the US kept a close eye on Russian ships near Japan
* Prime Minister Tony Abbott has downplayed the move
* He described it as unusual but not unprecedented
* Comes ahead of the G20 summit being held in Brisbane at the weekend
* The four ships are Varyag, Shaposhnikov, Fotiy Krylov and Boris Butoma

The Russian navy fleet heading for Australian waters is believed to be acting on orders to spy on leaders and officials at the G20 summit.

While Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to land in Brisbane on Friday night for the conference, The Australian reports US warships have been keeping a close watch on four Russian ships as they moved south near Japan.

Sources have told The Daily Telegraph they have already warned those attending the summit to be wary their conversations on phones or other communication devices may be monitored.

But the Russians aren't expected to stand alone in the act as one source says there will be others engaging in similar activity.

Read more ....

More News On Russia Sending A Convoy Of Warships To Australia For G20 Summit

Canberra confirms Russian ships transiting north of Australia ahead of G20 summit -- IHS Janes 360
Russian sends warships towards Australia as Putin prepares to attend Brisbane G20 summit -- The Independent
Russia sends warships north of Australia in 'puerile' display of military clout -- The Telegraph
Russia sends convoy of warships to Australia’s northern border -- Washington Times
Russian ships a show of strength -- West Australian
Expert Says The Russian Ships Off Australia Could Be Used To Spy On The G20 -- Business Insider
G20: Russia say warships heading towards Brisbane are taking part in routine exercise -- Sydney Morning Herald
Australian warships dispatched to intercept Russian flotilla bound for G20 summit: report -- Global news
US watches as nuclear sub may be accompanying Putin flotilla -- The Australian
'It's unusual, but not unprecedented': Prime Minister Tony Abbott downplays the Russian navy fleet heading for Australian waters ahead of G20 -- Daily Mail
What's the big deal about our fleet of warships: Russia -- David Wroe, Sydney Morning Herald

10 comments:

James said...

"Sources have told The Daily Telegraph they have already warned those attending the summit to be wary their conversations on phones or other communication devices may be monitored."
I love British humor.

Rhaegar said...

Agreed James. Also pernhaps the convoy of warships are the escort of the Russian members of G20.
Since why does the Russians need to spy one a conferance which they are a part of?
British newspapers always blame the Ruskies.

James said...

Rhaegar,
If you are a participant of this conference you must assume everything you say or do is spied upon, monitored, and noted by everyone else. It's been this way for a long time and anyone who does not conduct themselves with this in mind is a fool. The problem Putin may have is that his in country electronic intelligence assets may not be enough, so bring in some elint ships. He also gets to send the "we are everywhere" message with his ships.

Rhaegar said...

That is right, that is why the most important things are discussed in "the backroom". Also just asking is this confernce open for media?
Since I preumed that all important events and speeches in this conferance. will be covered in the media.

James said...

Rhaegar,
The "back room" is not safe. No matter where you are, who you are talking to, what medium you are using for communication, you must assume one or more people(agencies) are listening, ALWAYS. The only thing the "back room" can do is keep stuff away from some of the press for a while.

Rhaegar said...

Ok. that is very good to know. Just asking has there been cases where polticians talk to each other in codes or will they get thrown out if they do so?

James said...

Rhaegar,
Let me explain something about these summits. Very little is actually negotiated at them. What they'll do (this is more WNU's background so he may correct me) is decide to resolve a topic between two countries lets say trading rules for 9 armed octopuses between Australia and Indonesia. First thing both countries will do is establish working groups, committees etc, chaired by lower level officials (assistant secretary) these groups hammer out the agreements and their details in meetings and through communication between the different groups. Once they get it all worked out they get their bosses (Secretary of State Foreign Ministers) to sign off on it and in turn they get the approval of the respective Heads of State. All of this is done well before the summit. Once the big cheeses get there, they just sign, do photo ops, and issue joint communiques (which also are pre-approved). And that my Norse friend is how they do almost all of these shindigs.

Rhaegar said...

Ok, thank you for the detailed info, I think we have somting simular in Norway but I have not studied the local poltic so much, its basicly very burocratic, very mutch pointless talking since the polticians are very rearly direct with each other and they very often go around the bush when they talk about something. Not sure if thats the english word for it in norwegian we just call it "gå rundt grøten" when they just talk about irrelevant things and do not call a shovel for a shovel. In norse time things vere so much different , we had much trade with ships and we plundered. funny to see how much times has changed and that we have the polticians today that the mayority hate since there are never a party with the mayority of votes so they have to make coaltions and then the polticans change their opinions drasticaly to try to get into the goverment coaltion so it often ends with four or more different parties in the government which then disagree with each other just look at the goverment we have now. They have used over 1 week to try to agree of the state budget. I think it may take 1-2 weeks more before they agree, since there are the typical splits in the parties, are wondering when the next election is I am 18 if I should just vote blank since none of the parties reflect my views.

Rhaegar said...

Ups, I think I messed up my formulation and wrote about another topic, sorry sometimes I can rant about Norwegian poltics, but I thank you for the explanation of how the summit's works. Just ignore the above post if its a confusing mess. Sometimes I bland two different topics and the text becomes a mess.

James said...

Rhaegar,
Hah, well that's how politics have been since Uggh ran for tribal elder on the "Mastodons are a renewable resource" platform. Yeah, you Norse guys had a grand ole time for about 300 yrs looting, pillaging, running off with other peoples goodies and just scaring the hell out of every one in North Europe, but times change.