Posted on 09/04/2004 7:17:27 AM PDT by traumer
by Dmitry Zaks in Moscow
The front page of one of Russia's most authoritative newspapers had no headline or story on its front page Saturday. Instead, Izvestia showed a man with a pained look on his face rushing a girl to safety in his arms. She was semi-naked and clutching on to his neck with a look of horror on her face. A militia man stood solemnly in the background. Discuss: Russia should've given in to hostage-takers, instead of letting children die
The photo spoke volumes -- graphically underlining how many Russians were left speechless and terrified at events in school number one in Beslan that some in the Western media have already identified as Russia's September 11.
Izvestia is not known for being emotional. It is now a high-brow daily that was respected for its slightly liberal views in the Soviet era and lengthy political tracts in more recent times.
But on Saturday, it also had a half-page photo of a seemingly unconscious girl on a stretcher over the caption: "I raised my head and saw that children were lying in a pool of blood and not moving." Also View: Hostage drama in Russia
The respected Kommersant business daily showed a girl whose face was so charred that it seemed unrecognizable. Her hand clutched on to a man's hand who was trying to bring her to safety, her one remaining eye looking ahead in horror.
Russia's press, almost always opinionated, at times brazen, reported on events that killed at least 250 and injured 700 in stunned tones, largely without commentary, mostly mourning the dead and the maimed.
There was little condemnation of President Vladimir Putin's policies in Chechnya -- a bruised Muslim republic for which the guerrillas demanded independence as they stormed a school full of kids, parents and teachers, vowing to blow it up unless their demands were met.
Those demands were never fully broadcast in the Russian media during the three-day crisis, showing the sensitivity of the issue of Chechnya in Russian politics, and perhaps the grip the Kremlin -- which refuses to negotiate with the rebels -- has over television in Putin's era.
But the press, still for the large part run by independent tycoons, appeared numb on Saturday, overwhelmed by grief and seemingly tired of politics. The Gazeta daily came out with a special weekend issue. Even the official state newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta had bloodied photos under the caption 'Out of Hell'.
But, it also had photos of two Russian soldiers, one with his arm around the other, a scene of men coming out of battle.
Meanwhile, Russian television ran with pictures of Putin, dressed in a black suit over a black sweater, visiting the survivors in the local North Ossetia hospital. "The events developed fairly quickly and unexpectedly," NTV television showed Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying.
He tried to speak a girl in hospital but the girl turned away in her bed, and Putin walked away.
The Chechnyians shouldn't worry too much, though. Putin is no Stalin.
"Portable health care, guaranteed social security, even the gay couple next door getting married won't mean CRAP when terrorists take over your kid's school or your next plane trip.
"We must keep our strong President in charge and give him an even stronger republican congress."
A+
Many Democrats are saying the same thing.
He tried to speak a girl in hospital but the girl turned away in her bed, and Putin walked away.
Hey Vlad... Welcome to the War on Terror!
You might want to use that little red phone on your desk and give George a call. We could use your help in Iraq and you could probably use some from us in Chechnya.
A charity for the victims:
http://www.moscowhelp.org
MISSION STATEMENT - BESLAN
THE FUND'S GOAL IS TO HELP THE CHILDREN AFFECTED BY THE TERRORIST ACT IN BESLAN
The complete fallout of the terror act in Beslan is not yet clear. What is clear is that this is the worst terror-related human catastrophe in the history of Russia. As of now, media reports indicate at least 150 victims who already died as a direct result of this terrorist act, and over 600 victims, mainly children, have been taken to local hospitals, a large number of them with very serious injuries.
The Foundation was originally established in 2002 to raise personal and corporate charitable donations to help families of the Nord-Ost terror victims. That project was successfully completed with all donations fully distributed.
On September 11, 2001, Russian people and the whole world stood by the people of the United States, Canada, and all other countries whose citizens became victims of that unprecedented terrorist attack.
The Beslan hostage crisis is an example of the same type of terrorism that has perpetrated the September 11 attack. In terms of the number of people involved and the worldwide attention and solidarity, the Beslan siege can in many ways be compared to the major attacks against the US and many other countries.
The Foundation is managed by a group of activists and operates in full accordance with applicable US charity laws.
All personal donations will be used solely to help the children who were injured in Beslan or whose parents died as a result of this terror act.
I think Islam is now officially in Barney now within nations where it's a minority faith. Many peoples of many nations felt a certain cheekiness at seeing America get it's slap-down by Atta and crew. It was not in their back yard and they dismissed it. Well, it's spreading folks. It's now spreading and reshaped into soft target missions like schools, hospitals, and city buses. Islam is in serious trouble now.
This town and it's people (it's school children) are not actively (at least I don't believe) involved in the whole Russian - Chechyen thing? They were targeted by Islamo-nazis because they are Christian and not because they have persecuted or slaughtered Chechyens.... The mainstream media will not tell you this.
These Chechyens (or Islamo-nazis) are not "rebels" "militants" "insurgents" "freedom fighters" "breakaway separatists" fighting for a free Chechnya. That is total media crap. These are Islamist living in Russian land (like we have in Detroit or Los Angeles) who are fighting and terrorizing their surrounding countrymen. In reality, it's just like the Balkans with the Christian Serbs and the Islamic Croatians or Albanians? So, the same could happen in Detroit or LA or elsewhere where Islamics are in large numbers, who might try to become a separate country/state/entity?? right here n the U.S.A.
It has already happened in Belgium. It is going to happen in France and Germany and Spain for sure...the Islamics want to reclaim land they believe they lost in Spain when they were driven out.
So, bottom line, coming to a city near us? As Drudge says: "Developing..........................."
IMHO "second rate" is far too generous..If anti-terroorism capabilty were an Olympic events, the Russkis wouldn't have reached the semi-finals. I can easily name five countries that could do a far better job..US, Israel, England, France ( don't laugh..the French are very good, very tough at that stuff), Germany (they have a crack GS-9 unit..
bttt
I sure hope your right. I've been thinking what a really stupid move that was to attack innocent children. Your right about the rest of the worlds opinion regarding American getting slapped but when you mess with innocent children your over the line...
Putin is going to have to do someone or his @ss is toast. That little girl that turned away from him when he tried to talk to her says it all....this attack severely weakens him if he doesn't act decisively.
I'd take the Russians any day of the week before I'd take the French.
Notice the United Nations is amazingly mummm on the topic? In their silence they have proven their pointless existance.
In pictures: After the siege
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/3627678.stm
Actually they probably haven't looked up from their shreaders yet to catch the story.....Volker is keeping them busy.
The Islamo-nazis may have bitten off more than they can chew. I don't think Putin will be taking any pages from J F'ng Kerry's "Kinder, Gentler War on Terrorism" playbook. I suspect that the Isalmo terrorists will find out just how brutal Ivan can be. But look on the bright side: MANY will be meeting their 72 vigins!
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