inkRE: Kosovo
“We would be Doing Quite Fine on our own and would not have need to deppend on anybodys “Help”… But i Guess thats what Western Europe has been affraid of all this time…” – Bang bang bang!… What’s that noise? Oh, it’s just JAG hitting the nail on the head.
inkRE: Kosovo
“but it was certanly better than most places where americans dont apparently see human right abuses” – Including Turkey, Croatia (more so under Tudjman than now), Saudi Arabia (and other Muslim “oil states”), Chile (under Pinochet) etc etc…
inkRE: eastern sniper comparison…
Garry,
Excellent pics and info, thanks!
On a similar note, anti-material rifles have recently become very popular in the (former) eastern bloc. I’m curious to know what you think the best design to come out of Russia (or indeed other eastern European nations) is. How do they compare to western anti-material rifles in terms of range, reliability etc?
Finally… more pics please!!! 🙂 🙂
inkRE: Kosovo
In the early nineties the Yugoslav Government offered Kosovo a refferendum on autonomy (apparently to prevent a seperatist movement developing) but the Albanians threatened to boycott it and the refferendum never went ahead. The Albanians by this time had already decided to push for an “ethnically cleansed” (a term coined by Albaninan seperatists in the late ’80s), independant Kosovo. The proposal was put forward by that man… what’s his name? Oh, yes, Mr Milosevic.
The only reason that Albanians felt “oppressed” was that their politicaians pretty much refused to take any part in any sort of official activity and boycotted any form of election process. NB, Living standards in Pristina and Mitrovica have for years been higher than in other southern Serbian cities (e.g. Nis or Zajecar).
Also, before the active support by NATO countries (namely Turkey, the USA and Germany) of the KLA, and it’s disorganised predecessors, the number of violent deaths in Kosovo was lower than in Wales (a country of similar size and with a larger population). Now you wouldn’t even dare claim that Wales has a terrorist problem would you?
I’m just trying to illustrate that this whole period of history could have been much quieter and cost fewer lives (on all sides).
Anyway, it’s all academic as Yugoslavia (or should I say Serbia & Montenegro) is now fully in within the influence of the western powers and will scarcely escape their grasp for the next million years (:-)).
inkRE: Kosovo
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-05-02 AT 09:15Â AM (GMT)]…Not to mention the fact that more civilians have (“reportedly”) been killed in Afghanistan by precision guided, coordinated strikes designed to minimise civilian casualties than were killed by an organised campaign of “genocide” in a fierce ground war in Kosovo. Not having a go at the Yanks here, just trying to show how the numbers which western media blow out of proportion are actually not so unusual.
Geforce,
Apologies for the anger of my previous post, I realise you cannot be blamed for making comments about a situation you know little about.
Elp,
“At first I thought it was Reich European Union” – Brilliant }> Never even thought of that one! 🙂 😉
inkRE: Kosovo
…Pametno receno…
Geforce,
“It’s also very unlikely that Yugoslavia or Macedonia will ever be part of such an organisation like the EU. They have totally other values…” – How totally insulting and offensive! Get of your liberal EU high-horse and try to understand something about the world. Ever been to Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)? Ever been to Macedonia? Then shut up about the values you assume we have/have not. Personally, I can’t think of anything worse than a “USE” but I certainly don’t see why a European union canot include Eastern European nations (including Yug. and Russia). The current EU, however, is not desirable. Built along Cold War lines and incorporating so much post-colonial baggage that it should be known as the WEU (western European Union) or the REU (Rich European Union).
inkRE: eastern sniper comparison…
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-05-02 AT 02:47Â PM (GMT)]JAG,
I knew that Zastava was developing a bullpup design for the VJ but had never seen it. Personally I think it looks a bit dubious and probably won’t perform wonders. The P-90 was never really intended for this role and forcing a rifle cartridge (however small) through it is probably a bad idea.
I doubt that this weapon will ever be purchased by the Army, it’s more likely to be used by the MUP and it might (considering the calibre) acheive some export success.
Also, looking at it again, I must question the validity of your source. It looks awfully like someone used photoshop to paste a FAMAS receiver onto the back of a P-90 and blamed the Yugoslav arms industry for the result.
inkRE: eastern sniper comparison…
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-05-02 AT 09:28Â AM (GMT)]JAG,
Yes, I’d also heard it proved to be highly effective. However, I must query your claim of 2500m range – my info was that it could be reliably used against targets out to 2000m. A 500m increase is pretty significant if you think about it.
Also, I would be exceptionally gateful if you could post pics of M76s with bipods. I did have some but they’ve been misplaced. I knew of their existence but didn’t realise that they were common.
Garry,
You’re more knowledgable than me about this, how does the Mauser cartridge compare to the 7.62x54R Soviet?
inkRE: eastern sniper comparison…
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 30-04-02 AT 12:47Â PM (GMT)]JAG,
I’ve seen photos of the M76 fitted with a bipod but they’re extremely rare. Have you ever come across one with a bipod or have you seen photos of it?
Also, the sniper phylosophy of the VJ has, up until fairly recently, concentrated on concealment, target approach and relocation techniques rather than extreme (or even long) range fire. As a result, the M76 (or indeed the SVD) are perfectly suited to a “classically” trained VJ sniper. I’m pretty certain that the situation is similar in the Soviet/Russian sniper (marksman) schools.
In Croatia, and presumably in Bosnia, it was discovered that, with the use of a western bolt-action sniper rifle, it was possible to attain kills at much greater ranges. However, problem is that both conflicts were fought in densly wooded, built up or mountainous regions where it isn’t always possible to fire at an optimum range for a bolt-action rifle. At closer ranges the higher rate of fire of semi-automatic weapons was found to be indispensible.
Finally, in Kosovo, M76 rifles were issued to as many squads as was possible because engagements there often took place at extreme assault rifle ranges (the KLA aren’t keen on getting up close and personal unless they have a considerable advantage in numbers). The issuing of a “marksman’s” rifle to small squads of men resulted in a marked increase in effectivness over the sort of ranges (300-500m) which typified combat engagements in that conflict.
inkRE: eastern sniper comparison…
Certainly the Soviets have developed the Dragunov (sounds so much better than SVD :-)) into several useful varriants but I was wondering which rifle had better performance in ’75 (the year the M76 went into production). I’m curious to know whether the M76 was selected over the SVD for operational reasons or becauseit could be more easily manufactured locally.
inkRE: What makes you proud of your country?
There are a lot of things to be very proud of if you’re British – I’ve said already. The thing is, don’t you ever feel ashamed of the way your country is being run? Britain is the world’s 4th largest economy, the 2nd in Europe. Unemployment is at an all time low and the economy is growing again – yet look at the public services. When I said I’d have to wait 15 weeks to see a consultant for minor surgery I wasn’t lying (the operation would be another 10 to 20 weeks after that). I commute every day and I feel that the transport system is also nothing to be proud of. I think Britain is being somehow cheated. Where is all the money, which comes from being such a massive economy, going?
inkRE: What makes you proud of your country?
I’m living in the UK and I can see that there is much to be proud of about Britain but I don’t feel pride. I guess it’s because I’m not really British – I don’t feel British. Also, it often angers me that people forget how much wrong was done under the banner of the British Empire and only talk about all the good things.
I am originally from Serbia (came here in ’88). When I look at the nation now, what it has become, I feel no pride. It makes me feel bitter and angry to even think about Serbia now. However, we have a glorious past culturally, militarily, morally etc. I am intensly proud of that. Also, I’m proud of the people. Serbs are extremely spirited, passionate, hardy, thoughtful etc. They have strong souls (I know, can’t explain that in scientific terms…). I’m proud of the fact that after 10 years of sanctions, civil wars, attacks by powerful military alliances, revolutions etc everything works. The civilian infrastructure is comprable to that of Bulgaria, Romania (maybe even) Hungary etc and they’ve had it easy since the fall of the SU. I love the fact that for a minor operation I would have to wait 15 weeks in London (the biggest, most prosperous city in Europe) just to see a consultant while in Belgrade I could see a specialist, have the op and be back on my feet in three days, free of charge. That makes me proud.
inkRE: DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?
When I studied physics (some time ago now…) all the physisists I knew beleived in God. Einstein and Newton (and probably Rutherford, Tesla, Mandeleev etc) all beleived in God.
I’m not saying that I beleive in God because of them but it is reassuring to know that men who know so much more about the way the universe works also beleive.
Religion doesn’t cause war. People cause war. Relegion is often a handy excuse but people would easily find another one (terrorism, oil, ideology, power, money, land… shall I go on?).
inkRE: hmmmm..
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-04-02 AT 01:18Â PM (GMT)]Glenn,
“I just stopped dreaming. Think about it guys.”
I hear ya!
inkRE: My Apologies
Good stuff!
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