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TWO DAYS OF SHEER TERROR
The Sun ^ | 9-4-04 | PAUL THOMPSON & JAMES CLENCH

Posted on 09/03/2004 10:33:46 PM PDT by Walkin Man

RUSSIA'S NIGHTMARE

TWO DAYS OF SHEER TERROR

By PAUL THOMPSON and JAMES CLENCH

THE full horror inflicted on hostages inside the sweltering school gym was revealed by shellshocked survivors last night.

For two days 1,200 children and adults stared death in the face after being herded into the gym by terrorists.

First, the captors planted two big bombs in the basketball hoops, then trailed cables to smaller devices around the building.

Windows were smashed out to restrict the effect of any knockout gas, which was used to end the Moscow theatre siege in 2002. And male hostages were regularly put up in front of the windows to act as human shields.

Survivor Zalina Dzandarova, 27, told how two women bombers blew themselves up in a corridor on the FIRST DAY of the siege, killing some male hostages.

One girl told how the siege began. She said: “A military truck appeared in front of the school. People wearing camouflage and masks jumped out — I could see only their eyes and beards.

“They opened fire, everyone started running. Some people, including myself, managed to hide behind a fence. Several gunmen stayed outside, near the entrance. They started screaming at us in very good Russian, ‘Russians, Russians, come here, don’t be afraid’.

“One terrorist tried to lure the children in with chocolate.”

A teacher said children were rounded up at the school in Beslan within “two or three minutes”.

She recalled: “We had begun to form a line in the schoolyard to listen to the headmistress’s September 1 speeches when suddenly we heard shots.

“We were herded into the sports hall. The doors in the hall were locked. Two large explosive devices were put in the basketball nets. Then the whole place was mined within ten minutes.”

Atsamas Ketsoyev, 14, said: “There were two women wearing explosive belts. There was also a man standing with his foot on something like a pedal or button.”

Physics teacher Rita Gadzhinova described the appalling conditions as temperatures hit the 80s.

People were forced to strip in a bid to stay cool and kids deprived of water drank their own urine in desperation.

A few gasping hostages got to slake their thirst when captors ripped clothes off young girls and soaked them in water.

One said: “They tore them off us, wet them with water and threw them back. It was the only water we got.”

Another teacher said children were so hungry they ripped LEAVES off pot-plants for food.

When toddlers began crying the Chechen terrorists fired shots into the air to keep them quiet.

The teacher added: “A frightened child in the hall made a noise and one of the fighters seized a child and threatened to kill it if the noise didn’t stop.”

The terrorists never removed their masks and always talked in a whisper.

A teenage boy revealed: “They told us to sit down by the windows. I was sitting there for five hours. They always told us to shut up and vowed to kill 15 of us every hour if we didn’t stop crying.”

The hostages suffered the desperate conditions for 53 hours until another woman bomber is thought to have accidentally blown herself up — punching a gaping hole in the gym wall.

Around 40 kids managed to scramble out before police blew out a larger section of wall to help more captives flee.

One boy described how he was “blown out of the window by an explosion”. He gasped: “Many, many dead. Many dead children.”

After the second blast, the roof collapsed, leaving only the rafters.

Volunteer Alan Karayev said after ferrying victims from the building: “The floor is covered in bodies. There is no ceiling at all. The roof fell down on the children.”

BBC reporter Sarah Rainsford added: “There was an explosion and a wall and roof collapsed and those bodies are there among the ruins.”

A 15-year-old boy last night emerged as one of the siege heroes.

Kazbek Dzaragasov fled for his life with pal Sado Nazriyv, 16, when the terrorists burst in.

But the brave teenager turned back when he realised younger sister Agunda was still in her third-grade class. The siblings were last seen on Thursday by a freed woman who told Sado they were huddled together on the gym floor.

Sado told how the camouflaged terrorists injected blind panic into the pupils as they screamed at them to lie face down on the floor.

He said: “They started shooting. At first we thought it was a joke.

“We ran to the police and started screaming at them that the school had been taken captive. They didn’t believe us at first.”

A heroic English teacher saved 16-year-old Kristina Varziyeva and other students by shoving them into a boiler room — then fleeing through a window.

Later Sky News reporter Rachel Amatt dodged bullets to tell viewers how a mob beat up a dying terrorist flushed out of the school.

Brave Rachel, 31, said: “By the end of it, this man was clearly dead.”

Last night terrorist expert Prof Paul Wilkinson, of St Andrews University, blasted the Russian handling of the siege.

He said ambulances should have been at the scene and parents should not have been allowed to wander into the school — leading to more deaths.

The Beslan outrage is the latest in a string of attacks on Russia. Last month two jets were blown from the sky south of Moscow, killing 90.

And last week a “Black Widow” suicide bomber killed nine at an underground station in Moscow.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Russia; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alquida; cair; cairsilentonchechnya; caucasus; children; islam; muslim; ossetia; russian; school; silencefromcair; silenceissupport; whereiscair
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1 posted on 09/03/2004 10:33:47 PM PDT by Walkin Man
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To: Walkin Man

Write your local newspaper, call your local radio and TV stations.

Demand that teachers be allowed to be armed, even if they have to be deputized.

Ask how else can anyone propose to protect our children when the terrorists attack our schools here in the U.S. next.

5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires

2 posted on 09/03/2004 10:41:00 PM PDT by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
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To: Walkin Man
How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!
3 posted on 09/03/2004 10:47:06 PM PDT by Prime Choice (Democrats. They want to have their cake and eat yours too.)
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To: Southack
Demand that teachers be allowed to be armed, even if they have to be deputized.

It's a good idea...which is why it'll never happen. Remember that our nation was too queasy about even arming our soldiers guarding our nation's airports in the days following 9/11. At LAX, we had soldiers carrying their rifles...but not one of them had ammunition.

4 posted on 09/03/2004 10:49:23 PM PDT by Prime Choice (Democrats. They want to have their cake and eat yours too.)
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To: Prime Choice; Nick Danger; Dan from Michigan; rdb3; mhking; Trueblackman; Travis McGee; ...

Nonsense. We've armed our pilots. Now we'll arm our teachers.

Moreover, we need to *force* the Left to explain why they oppose protecting our children. Even having the *argument* itself favors us.

5 Legislative Days Left Until The AWB Expires

5 posted on 09/03/2004 10:51:35 PM PDT by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
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To: Prime Choice

Perhaps the news media can write this 1000 times on the chalkboard

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!

How much longer before we stop referring to these monsters as "Chechen rebels" and call them by their proper name: Islamic Terrorists!















6 posted on 09/03/2004 10:55:33 PM PDT by Cheetah1
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To: Walkin Man
A few gasping hostages got to slake their thirst when captors ripped clothes off young girls and soaked them in water.

There it is. Always something sexual with these psychos.

7 posted on 09/03/2004 10:57:00 PM PDT by Canticle_of_Deborah (lex orandi, lex credendi)
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To: Walkin Man

"Last month two jets were blown from the sky south of Moscow, killing 90. "

I always find it strange when an event that happenned about a week ago is not written as such but as being "last month."

In regards to politics this wording could be handy.

Eitherway I found the useage strange to say the least.


8 posted on 09/03/2004 10:58:10 PM PDT by torchthemummy (Florida 2000: There Would Have Been No 5-4 Without A 7-2)
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To: Southack
Nonsense. We've armed our pilots. Now we'll arm our teachers.

Maybe you've followed that situation closer than I, but the last time I looked, most pilots still weren't armed because the anti-gun corporates set the bar so high that only a very few ever got to pack heat.

And I've got $20 in my pocket that the Brady Bill brillo-heads will turn this whole thing into a political football. And, for the Leftists, keeping guns out of teachers' hands will be a win-win. They'll keep the law-abiding people disarmed and they'll be able to blame Bush when (not if) a bunch of Islamists slaughter a load of schoolchildren. And like it or not, don't expect anyone to hold the Brady buttheads responsible when that day comes.

Like I said, your idea is a good one...and that's precisely why it'll never come to pass. There are far too many political hacks with heavy investments in victimology to allow it to work.

Moreover, we need to *force* the Left to explain why they oppose protecting our children. Even having the *argument* itself favors us.

Not as long as the Left controls the mainstream media. We're on the cutting edge with the 'net, the Blogosphere and so on, but a lot of technophobes still regard ABCCBSNBCCNN as the "authority." (Guh.)

9 posted on 09/03/2004 10:59:04 PM PDT by Prime Choice (Democrats. They want to have their cake and eat yours too.)
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To: Southack

We'll have to suffer our own Beslan before we confront the reality of arming teachers.


10 posted on 09/03/2004 10:59:40 PM PDT by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: Prime Choice

has anyone heard about the fate of the little 6 year old girl who was left behind when her mother was forced to choose between her and her 2 year old brother?


11 posted on 09/03/2004 11:01:36 PM PDT by jbarkley
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To: Travis McGee
We'll have to suffer our own Beslan before we confront the reality of arming teachers.

This does seem to be the case, that there will "need" to be a major disaster in various aspects of daily life before unnecessary and foolish risks can be abated with common sense solutions.

I have stated in the past that the only way we can return to the free exercise of our right to bear arms (2nd Amd) will be a stint of open warfare here in the u.S.

We may be on a shorter path to that eventuality than even I have estimated. A-Q and MS-13 seem to be forming an alliance for operations at the Texas-mexico border . . . .

12 posted on 09/03/2004 11:18:04 PM PDT by TLI ( . . . ITINERIS IMPENDEO VALHALLA . . . . . .)
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To: TLI

If that story pans out, we're in for it.


13 posted on 09/03/2004 11:20:14 PM PDT by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
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To: TLI
Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
14 posted on 09/04/2004 12:21:05 AM PDT by LayoutGuru2 (Triskaidekaphobia ? Never heard of it !)
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To: Walkin Man

Hostage-Takers Laughed as Kids Suffered
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,131430,00.html


15 posted on 09/04/2004 12:22:38 AM PDT by Truth666
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To: Southack
Heck, we can't even shut our own back door (Mexican border) to incoming terrorists much less arm teachers!

I pray that our school children won't fall prey to Islamic killers as happened in Russia but it doesn't look good IMO.

16 posted on 09/04/2004 12:47:17 AM PDT by Walkin Man
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To: Prime Choice

That is who they are but the PC/leftist newsmedia will do all they can to cover up that fact, no doubt.


17 posted on 09/04/2004 12:48:23 AM PDT by Walkin Man
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To: Canticle_of_Deborah

Moon god followers are used to treating girls/women like dirt. Its allahs will don't ya know.


18 posted on 09/04/2004 12:50:40 AM PDT by Walkin Man
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To: Walkin Man

19 posted on 09/04/2004 12:57:45 AM PDT by John Lenin (How can you shoot women and children? Easy... you don't lead 'em so much(FMJ))
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To: John Lenin

Payback is a B***H, ain't it?


20 posted on 09/04/2004 1:03:01 AM PDT by Walkin Man
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