WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2019

Volume 6, Number 245

EIR Daily Alert Service

P.O. Box 17390, Washington, DC 20041-0390

• Nuclear Arms Agreement on Trump-Lavrov Meeting Agendas, as British Empire Presses Coup
• Pompeo. Lavrov Talks Seek Better U.S.-Russia Relations, Discuss Challenges and Opportunities
• Trump Happy With ‘Very Good’ Meeting With Lavrov
• Virginia State Sen. Richard Black Tells Sputnik Why NATO Should Be Disbanded
• Presidents Acknowledge Some Progress at Normandy Four Summit
• Democrats Announce Two Articles of Impeachment–Never Has a Manure Pile Grown So Rapidly
• Attorney General Barr Makes Press Rounds, but John Durham Will Have the Last Word
• Gabbard Walking Away From Democratic Party Titanic
• Fernandez and Fernandez Take Office in Argentina With Optimism, But Face ‘Many Hurdles’
• China’s Industrial Economy Continues on a Growth Trajectory

EDITORIAL

Nuclear Arms Agreement on Trump-Lavrov Meeting Agendas, as British Empire Presses Coup

Dec. 10 (EIRNS)—In the middle of the impeachment circus engulfing Washington, in which the frenzied congressional Democrats issued two lying article of impeachment yesterday in pursuit of the British attempted coup d’état against the United States, President Donald Trump did two things—each more odious than the other in the eyes of the British, who are out to overthrow his government.

First, he met in the White House with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had engaged in lengthy, if tense, talks with Lavrov on a number of pressing issues, most importantly the matter of nuclear arms control.

Second, Trump travelled to western Pennsylvania late in the day for a campaign rally in that hotly contested state. He will follow up with a Dec. 18 rally in Michigan, another battleground state for the 2020 elections.

In other words, just as the British were escalating their coup drive, President Trump was doing precisely what the British have repeatedly warned him not to do: meet with the Russian leadership to try to get U.S.-Russian relations on a sound footing; and take the political fight to his base in the population. One can almost hear the outraged British Establishment gathering itself up haughtily and snarling: “How dare you?!”

Everything is at stake for the British Empire and their American subjects, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has taken to bragging about how she knew there were no WMD in Iraq but allowed that deadly war to proceed, regardless. With their trans-Atlantic financial system ripping apart at the seams, the possibility of the U.S. joining China’s Belt and Road Initiative gives the British nightmares. And on the strategic front, a working U.S.-Russian relationship is key to ending the era of British geopolitics and war.

And so the British are not amused by Trump’s general assertions that he wants good relations with both Russia and China. But they are particularly alarmed about Trump’s insistence that he and Putin agree that the nuclear weapons issue is critical and must be resolved. On Dec. 3, Trump used his joint press conference with Macron at the NATO meeting to push the issue of arms discussions with Russia, And then again the next day, on Dec. 4 before meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel in London, Trump was asked: “Mr. President, how do you respond to President Putin’s offer on a moratorium for medium-range missile systems, which he made at the end of October?” To which Trump replied: “We’re talking to Russia about many things, including a cessation on nuclear and nuclear creation. It’s, in my opinion, the biggest problem the world has today. I think it’s bigger than any other problem the world has today. And we’re working very hard on it. And he [Putin] wants to see something happen and so do I, and so does China.”

Trump is doing the right thing, Helga Zepp-LaRouche commented yesterday. But more—much more—will be required to actually defeat the intended coup. The financially and strategically bankrupt British system behind the coup can only be defeated by entirely replacing it with a New Paradigm, along the lines long-specified by Lyndon LaRouche. Although they may seem more “practical,” lesser fights will not lead to lesser victories; they will only lead to defeat.

STRATEGIC WAR DANGER

Pompeo, Lavrov Talks Seek Better U.S.-Russia Relations, Discuss Challenges and Opportunities

Dec. 10 (EIRNS)—Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met for several hours today at the State Department, in continuation of the dialogue begun last May when Pompeo met with Lavrov, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Sochi. In their joint press briefing after today’s talks, both spoke of their agreement that the United States and Russia “should have a better relationship,” as Pompeo put it. He spoke of a possible announcement soon of an initiative to improve economic relations between their countries.

Lavrov said they had “spoken frankly and businesslike,” but sought “not only to listen to each other, but to hear each other, because a situation where two nuclear superpowers have accumulated differences is not acceptable.” He added: “We meet each other regularly and we regularly talk on the phone when necessary.  Today’s meeting has confirmed that it is useful to talk to each other. However difficult this period in our relation is, and including the global affairs, talking to each other is always better than not talking to each other.”

A central topic on their agenda was the future of global arms control, which they discussed “at great length,” Pompeo reported. It was clear in the press conference that there are major differences still between them, but the discussions were serious.

Pompeo reported on President Donald Trump’s eagerness to pursue arms control with Russia and with China, and made clear the U.S. view that discussion of what comes after the New START Treaty expires, “must be broadened to include the Chinese Communist Party [sic],” and cannot address just missiles, warheads, bombers, etc., but “the full range of instruments of power” which pose a risk to strategic stability. Lavrov, for his part, reiterated President Vladimir Putin’s concern to secure some framework for nuclear arms policies while any such talks are underway, pressing on various initiatives which President Putin has made, such as that both nations “make a statement at the level of presidents about unacceptability of certain nuclear war.”

The question of China’s possible involvement in any such strategic negotiations was a substantive subject of discussion. Lavrov reported that they had discussed China’s stated opposition to participating in such a proposed multilateral agreement, since its nuclear force levels are far below those of either Russia or China. Both raised the possibility to bring in France, the U.K. and perhaps others, if any such talks proceeded.

Pompeo stated in the press conference that it is true that China has fewer weapons systems, “but to enter into these conversations doesn’t necessarily mean that we would cap any one country at any particular level.  The objective isn’t about that. It’s about developing a set of conditions which create the very stability for the security of both our people, the people of the United States, the people of Russia, people all around the world are demanding from a good strategic dialogue.” To which Lavrov responded, that this “was the first time that we have clarification by an official representative of the U.S.” that its proposal to expanding the participants in future arms control (i.e. China) aims at “a set of conditions, not the final limits of any participant.” It is for such reasons, Lavrov added, that he was advising the U.S. that “it will be easier, possibly for us and for other people who the U.S. have in mind,” if the U.S. would put its proposal on paper, “formulated, worded in some way.”

Many other areas of concern were discussed at shorter length, including Lavrov briefing Pompeo on the Normandy Four discussions in Paris which had just occurred on Ukraine. Other topics ranged from those where Russia and the U.S. are cooperating, albeit with differences (including counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, Afghanistan, Yemen, Libya, North Korea, and Syria), and those where their differences make for “greater challenges” (Venezuela, Iran, visas, etc.). Lavrov summarized the results as follows:

“In the end, I’d like to say that with all difficulties and differences, there is great potential for our cooperation in economy and in other spheres as well, and it is in the interest of both countries to tap into that potential fully and to develop our relations to the benefit of our countries and the whole global community.  That is our intent, and today we have felt that there is a reciprocity, the same commitment of the American side.”

The depth of diplomatic dialogue notwithstanding, there was no getting around the bogus, British intelligence-concocted charges of Russian meddling into the 2016 U.S. elections. Lavrov pressed repeatedly in the press conference for the Trump administration to give Russia permission to publish its “closed-channel correspondence” with the Obama Administration in response to the charges that it was meddling, which it began in October 2016. He insisted that publication of this correspondence, carried out through the “specially designated channel to review threats in cyber networks,” could clarify how Russia responded on this matter, and why it has not been accepted.

“We understand that our joint work was hindered and continues to be hindered by the wave of suspicions that has overcome Washington” on this meddling matter, Lavrov said, but “nevertheless, we hope that the turbulence that appeared out of thin air will die down, just like in 1950s’ McCarthyism came to naught, and there’ll be an opportunity to go back to a more constructive cooperation.”

Trump Happy with ‘Very Good’ Meeting with Lavrov

Dec. 10 (EIRNS)—President Trump tweeted after his nearly hour-long meeting at the White House this afternoon with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, that he had “just had a very good meeting with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and representatives of Russia. Discussed many items including Trade, Iran, North Korea, INF Treaty, Nuclear Arms Control, and Election Meddling. Look forward to continuing our dialogue in the near future!”

The more formal White House read-out on the meeting summarized their discussion this way:

“Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Lavrov briefed President Trump on their discussions regarding the state of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia. President Trump warned against any Russian attempts to interfere in United States elections and urged Russia to resolve the conflict with Ukraine. President Trump also emphasized his support for effective global arms control that includes not only Russia, but also China. President Trump welcomed continued engagement with Russia to address areas of mutual concern, including how the United States and Russia can take positive steps with respect to detained citizens. He urged Russia to support United States’ efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and ensure the denuclearization of North Korea. President Trump and Foreign Minister Lavrov also reviewed the state of relations with China. The President reiterated the need for fair and reciprocal trade with China. The President noted that a better relationship with Russia would allow increased trade between our countries.”

Virginia State Sen. Richard Black Tells Sputnik Why NATO Should Be Disbanded

Dec. 10 (EIRNS)—Speaking as a former NATO officer, Virginia State Senator Richard Black told Sputnik International that there is no reason to “enhance” NATO, since after the end of the Cold War, it serves no purpose. Instead, good relations with Russia are needed.

He pointed to the fact that Germany is only willing to fund 200 tanks to defend its border with Russia, and clear evidence that Europe’s (once) industrial powerhouse has not the slightest fear of Russia as a military threat. “In the Syrian battle for Aleppo, the terrorists used more than 200 tanks!” he said. “And yet that’s what Germany has for the entire defense against Russia and anyone else who might be a threat.”

When he was posted as a lieutenant colonel to NATO in Europe in 1981-1984, the NATO alliance was necessary and effective, Senator Black said. But after the Cold War ended and the WarsawPact was dissolved, “NATO should have been disbanded. It had no purpose whatsoever…. Russia is a European country and it’s one that has much to offer and represents no threat at all, unless, and the one caveat is, if we continually prod them and something goes terribly wrong in one of these provocations and we trip trigger a nuclear war. Because Russia is very strong in nuclear power.”

Sputnik published four different stories today from an interview with Senator Black, ranging from U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere to the failure of House Democrats to present “even one piece of evidence that suggests that President Trump has committed a crime” in their impeachment “farce”—which he denounced as “just a matter of trying to overthrow the government through using a mechanism that it was never intended for.”

He also slammed the U.S. seizure of Syria’s oil fields as “simply an act of piracy. It’s stealing, plain and simple.” Because poor people in Syria may die from lack of heat this winter because the oil was seized, he called the action “cruel, it’s immoral and its un-Christian. It’s a sinful thing to do and we have no business stealing oil or any other natural resource from another country.” Black suggested the Pentagon, rather than the President may have been the driver of that decision.

Presidents Acknowledge Some Progress at Normandy Four Summit

Dec. 10 (EIRNS)—The Normandy Four summit of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France ended with a note of progress in the consensus among German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It is the first time the Normandy Four have met since 2016. Particularly significant was the first bilateral meeting between the recently- elected Zelensky and Putin.

According to a statement released by the Elysée Palace in Paris where the summit took place, the leaders agreed to renew and expand the mandate of observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) working in eastern Ukraine, increasing their current 12-hour mandate to 24 hours to monitor the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine with unlimited access to all areas. They also agreed to an updated de-mining plan and a full exchange of prisoners of war before the end of December, with the Red Cross being guaranteed free access to the detainees until their release. They also agreed to withdraw troops from three disengagement points by March 2020, in addition to the three locations where this already took place in 2019. They agreed that the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine will discuss the conditions that will allow the local elections to be held in eastern Ukrainian territory. They will hold another summit in four months to review progress, reported Anadolu Agency.

Commenting on his bilateral meeting with Putin, Zelensky said they discussed the renewal of Russian gas transit via Ukraine and holding local elections in eastern Ukrainian territory. He stressed that his views were diametrically opposed to the Russian President’s on the issue of border control. “For Ukraine, it is important to ensure control over all its borders. At the talks with President Putin, I stressed the necessity of the pullout of foreign militant groups and the disarmament of militants,” said Zelensky, and further declaring that he considered it that local elections could only be held based on Ukrainian legislation. He did not support the idea of passing a bill granting a special status to the separatist regions, because he thought it could limit Ukraine’s sovereignty and allow for external forces to put pressure on the country’s foreign policy.

Putin for his part insisted on committing the special status of the separatist regions to legislation, because it is suggested by the Minsk Agreement itself. He further said, “Can we speak about thaw? I think yes. We have now met in the Normandy format and discussed a very important wide range of issues, and we have made progress on many of them,” he said, observing that the work was “very useful. “

Putin also stressed the necessity of direct dialogue between the separatist regions and Kiev.

As for gas deliveries, he said Russia was ready to sell the fuel to Ukraine 25% cheaper than Ukraine currently pays for European supplies.

Host President Macron stressed the importance of the meeting between Putin and Zelensky, reported TASS, telling reporters: “In this regard, I want to note the political courage and decisiveness that the Ukrainian President has shown since his election by seeking to achieve peace in the conflict that harms his country…. I believe that the mere fact that this forum was held and that negotiations lasting several hours took place at it is an achievement in itself.”

U.S. POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC

Democrats Announce Two Articles of Impeachment—Never Has a Manure Pile Grown So Rapidly

Dec. 10 (EIRNS)—On Tuesday morning, in a proceeding which lasted less than 15 minutes with solemn masks of solemnity, House Democrats announced two articles of impeachment of President Donald Trump. Judiciary Chair Jerry Nadler claimed that the President had abused his office for his personal benefit while injuring the national security by asking Ukraine to intervene in the 2020 elections on his behalf. When the President got caught doing this (a reference to the bogus whistleblower who no one is allowed to know), Nadler said, Trump obstructed the Congressional investigation of his conduct in an unprecedented fashion. Nadler them deferred to Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff to pile on with what can only be described as pure psychedelic fantasy.

Schiff announced that it was “uncontested” that the President had harmed the national security for his own benefit, demanding that the Ukrainians investigate his 2020 opponent Joe Biden and investigate a “baseless conspiracy theory pushed by the Russians” that the Ukrainians intervened in the 2016 elections, in return for a White House meeting and lethal military assistance to fight Russian aggression. Mad Adam, eyes bulging, declared that this could not wait because the President would get Ukraine or some other foreign power to intervene in the 2020 election on his behalf just as he had cheated that way in 2016.

Bang, that was it, and they shuffled together off the stage, taking no questions. Markups start tomorrow and the Judiciary Committee will vote next week, with a full vote by the House scheduled before Christmas.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy responded to the Democrats’ 9 a.m. skit by pointing out that Speaker Nancy Pelosi had said just last week at a press conference that two and one-half years ago the Democrats had begun mapping their plan for impeachment. Nadler campaigned for Judiciary Chair by claiming he would be the best guy to accomplish the feat. As soon as the Democrats regained control of the House, in January of 2019, Pelosi drastically altered the House Rules to facilitate precisely the one-sided Star Chamber show trial proceedings which occurred over the past two months.

Almost as soon as the Democrats left their morning show, Pelosi announced that the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was being voted up in the House. As McCarthy said, given the unpopularity of impeachment, Pelosi has to have something to claim that the Democrats did something with their majority, even if it appears to be a victory for Donald Trump.

Attorney General Barr Makes Press Rounds, but John Durham Will Have the Last Word

Dec. 10 (EIRNS)—Attorney General Barr was interviewed by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal today, as reactions began to roll in concerning the Horowitz report.  Prof. Jonathan Turley has an excellent article in The Hill observing that the Horowitz findings are damning for the FBI.

Turley maintains that saying the FBI investigation of Trump’s campaign was not improper to begin with, when taken with the actual abuses revealed in the report, is equivalent to congratulating the captain of the Titanic at the beginning of his disastrous voyage. Larry Johnson also has an article in “Sic Semper Tyrannis” based on the Executive Summary to the Horowitz Report. Johnson headlines his colorful portrait “Horowitz’s Futile Attempt To Polish the FBI Turd.”

Barr told NBC News: “I think, probably, from a civil liberties standpoint, the greatest danger to our free system is that the incumbent government used the apparatus of the state—principally, the law enforcement agencies and the intelligence agencies—both to spy on political opponents. But as to use them in a way that could affect the outcome of the election,” Barr alleged. “As far as I’m aware, this is the first time in history that this has been done to a Presidential campaign.”

He repeated that the Trump campaign was spied upon and those efforts, by informants, only turned up exculpatory information concerning any link between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.  Nonetheless, the FBI proceeded with the most intrusive technique of all, a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant, and hid all the exculpatory information they had gathered from the FISA Court. They relied, instead, on the dossier compiled by former MI6 agent Christopher Steele, which was being paid for by the Clinton campaign and which Barr characterized as a “complete sham.”

“When their entire case collapsed, what did they do?” Barr asked. “They kept on investigating the President, well into his administration.”

“I think our nation was turned on its head for three years based on a completely bogus narrative that was largely fanned and hyped by a completely irresponsible press. I think there were gross abuses … and inexplicable behavior that is intolerable in the FBI.”  Barr stated that the final word on this would come from U.S. Attorney John Durham, whose much wider investigative purview would allow him to assemble the full picture of what happened in 2016, including actions by foreign intelligence agencies, the CIA, and the State Department.

Gabbard Walking Away from Democratic Party Titanic

Dec. 10 (EIRNS)—Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard announced yesterday that she has decided to not attend the “Dec. 19th ‘debate,’ ” as she put it, regardless of whether she reaches the poll level required to qualify; she prefers to spend her time campaigning.

Smart move. The latest poll to come out on voter preferences in swing states shows again that associating with the other Democratic presidential candidates is a real loser. Firehouse/Optimus published their latest quarterly battleground polling series two days ago, finding that in the first week of December, Trump polled ahead of Joe Biden (his closest competitor) in Michigan by 5%, in Pennsylvania by 4%, and in Wisconsin by 9%. A majority of voters in those states were found to oppose the impeachment of Trump.

What could be worse than the current throng of Democratic Party candidates? Hillary Clinton told a British interviewer this past weekend that she has been “deluged” with requests to jump into the race, and has to make up her mind “really quickly.” According to Harvard’s Center for American Political Studies Harris Poll, Clinton placed first as favored candidate, beating out Biden as the most favored candidate, polling 21% over Biden’s 20% (it went down from there), the New York Post reported yesterday.

THE NEW GLOBAL ECONOMIC ORDER

Fernández and Fernández Take Office in Argentina with Optimism, but Face ‘Many Hurdles’

Dec. 10 (EIRNS)—Alberto Fernández and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner were sworn in today as the new President and Vice-President of Argentina, amidst a great deal of euphoria—relief that neoliberal President Mauricio Macri is gone—but also a realization that there is a difficult road ahead, given the absolute devastation of the economy, and the poverty, unemployment, industrial collapse and an unpayable foreign debt which Macri left behind.  One emotional moment came when Fernández expressed gratitude to the late Nestor Kirchner, for whom he served as chief of staff, for allowing him to participate in “getting Argentina back on its feet again,” after the crisis of 2003. That was met with wild applause.

Amidst periodic bursts of singing the “Peronist march,” and other chants in the Legislature, Fernández laid out an ambitious “new model,” whose primary focus, he said, must be “charity”—Christian love—and a sense of solidarity with fellow Argentines who have suffered enormously these past four years.

He announced his government will begin by addressing the appalling situation facing the poor, the elderly, youth and the army of unemployed that Macri left behind—although his ministers will be working “on many fronts.” A national program against hunger and a national health emergency will be declared, he said, while cautioning that simply putting food on people’s table isn’t sufficient. Citizens must be brought into a national development and jobs program and feel they can contribute to the country’s advancement. There will be a very strong state presence in the economy, he affirmed, and programs to offer long-term, low-interest loans to small businesses. A national infrastructure program will also be announced.

On the foreign debt, he warned that Macri left the country “in virtual default, just like in 2003.” The debt is unsustainable and unpayable…. We can’t pay the debt if we don’t grow.” He attacked Macri’s speculative model and the vast capital flight “which destroyed industry and national production.” As for the IMF, “we’ll seek a cooperative and constructive relationship,” he said, but we’ll devise our own program without foreign intervention or taking advice from “technicians” who offer the same failed policies.

Very important was his announcement that the entire justice system will be overhauled, beginning with corrupt Federal Intelligence Agency (AFI). This is a direct hit at the concept of “lawfare,” which Macri—with assistance from the U.S. State and Justice Departments—used to persecute political opponents, chief among them Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. The “Never Again” slogan should be applied to never again allowing the justice system to be used for political aims, along with complicit media, Fernández said. The contamination of the justice system by intelligence networks will end, now.

China’s Industrial Economy Continues on a Growth Trajectory

Dec. 10 (EIRNS)—Despite the global economic crisis, and the trade war between China and the U.S., China’s industrial economy is maintaining a healthy growth trajectory, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics, Xinhua reported. One measure of that health is the growth of the number of industrial enterprises operating in China, which reached 3.45 million by 2018, based on an average annual increase of 7.4% since 2013—the year that President Xi Jinping announced the Belt and Road Initiative. Total industrial assets also rose by an average 5.8% per year during the same period.

Within the industrial sector as a whole, the critical equipment manufacturing sub-sector grew particularly rapidly, and topped all industrial sectors during the 2013-2018 period with a 9.6% average annual growth of number of establishments, and an 8.4% annual growth of assets. The employment breakdown is also interesting. “Employees in the equipment manufacturing sector accounted for a healthy 39.2% of the people hired in industrial sectors in 2018, up 4.8% from 2018.

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