Cold War Heating Up Again? Eric Clapton Concert in Russia Cancelled

Eric Clapton Concert Permit Revoked By Russian Government Officials
Clapton sent packing



My Comments

Cold War Heating Up Again? It appears to be. This action, combined with other events, paints a clear picture. (Unless Russian Authorities can put forth a logical excuse. So far, they have refused to comment).

Even during the so-called "Cold War", Western musicians were often allowed to play in Russia, which makes this even more strange. U.S. and British policies, particularly the policies of the neo-con fruitcakes in Washington D.C., have finally begun to take a toll and are now affecting innocent, ordinary activities such as concerts. This likely has a lot to do with a number of things, such as:

1. The U.S. relationship with Georgia (Former Soviet State, now a Russian rival allied with the U.S.). The U.S. has been meddling in the political affairs of Georgia, which is currently in conflict with Russia. If that's not crazy enough, the U.S. has been pushing very hard to bring countries such as Georgia and Ukraine into the NATO Organization.... the main Western Defense Treaty organization. Why anyone in their right mind would want these unstable countries in the NATO alliance is a mystery to me. It will only increase (greatly) the possibility of a conflict between Russia and the West (which is what the neocon Republicans want). Russia is in constant conflict with these two countries....sometimes including armed skirmishes. This is well known, so why would anyone want these countries included in NATO? The neocons and pro-war Democrats (it's a bi-partisan effort) in the U.S. are behind this process and have been for many years now. It is their dream to not only revive the Cold War....but to greatly increase tensions beyond anything we have seen before.

2. The U.S. relationship with (and role within) Ukraine, where the U.S. has been meddling with the political process.

3. The U.S. & British position in the Middle East conflict.... with their blind & unconditional support for Israel.

4. U.S. double standards on a number of issues.

5. The WTO (World Trade Organization) talks between the U.S. and Russia during the G-8 Summit. Russia wants entry into the organization. However, the negotiations ended without an agreement. The U.S. has been blocking Russia's entry into the WTO. It appears to be part of a U.S. effort to slow Russia's growth and humiliate the country.

6. The U.S. attempt to expand NATO closer to more Russian territory, taking over more former Soviet States (countries that were once controlled by Russia), all in an effort to intimidate and humiliate Russia.

7. Disagreement with the U.S. and Britain over the Iraq war.

8. Failure of the U.S. to allow condemnation of Israel in the UN Security Council, for the deaths of the UN officials in Lebanon, after Israeli warplanes attacked a well known UN compound there.

9. Efforts by pro-war neo Conservatives in the Bush administration to revive the Cold War. Many pro-war Republicans (and several Democrats) wish to turn back the clock to the Cold War era. They want to revive that era in hopes of bringing the two countries to some sort of political or military confrontation. Russia is well aware of this.

10. The U.S. position with Iran and North Korea, which does not encourage true diplomacy.

11. The U.S. position on Belarus, another sister country very close to Russia. The U.S. has been meddling in the affairs there and in several other countries that were once controlled by Russia.

**Russia is likely responding to these issues (among a long list of other problems).

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Article on Clapton Situation Below


Clapton's Red Square concert quashed

Last Updated Sat, 29 Jul 2006 15:14:03 EDT


British musician Eric Clapton has had to call off his concert in Moscow suddenly because Russian authorities have cancelled his permit.

Clapton, famous for songs such as Layla, Wonderful Tonight and Tears in Heaven, announced he would not be playing in Red Square on Aug. 3 after officials withdrew permission on Friday.

"Eric Clapton is extremely sorry to disappoint his numerous Russian fans but the circumstances of the cancellation are completely beyond his control," said Clapton's spokesperson, Kristen Foster, in a statement.

The box office in Moscow suspended sales of tickets, costing as much as $370 US, on Saturday.

The singer was scheduled to perform in front of 20,000 people and the event would have capped off his European tour. Instead, it will finish Monday in Helsinki.

Russian government officials have refused to comment on the matter and have yet to indicate why they rescinded their consent.

The 61-year-old guitarist will tour the U.S. and Canada with blues musician Robert Cray later this year.

Clapton was once a member of the 1960s rock group the Yardbirds and later formed Cream, whose hit singles include Sunshine of Your Love, White Room and Crossroads.

He charted a course for a solo career during the 1970s and has since put out many top-selling albums. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him the second-greatest living guitarist of all time, behind B.B. King.



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