Putin Condemns Terrorists, Defends Handling of School Siege

Strategic Insights -

Tens of thousands gathered near Red Square in Moscow to mourn the victims of the Beslan school siege, while President Vladimir Putin strongly condemned the terrorists and their supporters. Putin's remarks, reported in The Guardian, targeted not only the terrorists but also those who have criticized his government's handling of the crisis in Chechnya. The siege, which resulted in the deaths of at least 338 people, mostly children, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for a more moderate approach to dealing with separatist rebels in the region.

Key Takeaways:

  • Putin's remarks, as reported in The Guardian, expressed his anger and frustration with critics who have called for a more moderate response to the crisis in Chechnya.
  • He directly compared the terrorists to Osama bin Laden, saying that he would like to see bin Laden invited to Brussels or the White House for talks, suggesting that those who take children as hostages should be held accountable.
  • The Kremlin has blamed the Chechen rebel leader, Aslan Maskhadov, and the warlord Shamil Basayev for the seizure of the school, with one captured raider stating that he was acting on the orders of the two men.
  • Russian officials have reported discovering bombs hanging from the ceiling and basketball nets in the school gymnasium, as well as explosives on the floor, in a videotape shot by the rebels.
  • The police in Moscow have reported the arrest of two people who helped Chechen women suspected of blowing up two passenger airliners last month, killing 90 people.
  • Putin described the conflict in Chechnya as a war for territorial integrity in the remnants of the Soviet Union, emphasizing that Chechnya is a vital part of Russia's territory.
  • The Kremlin has denied reports that 20 Russian commandos were killed in the rescue attempt, instead stating that nine had died at the scene and another later at a hospital.

Statistics:

  • At least 338 people, mostly children, died in the Beslan school siege.
  • More than 500 people have been killed in terrorist attacks in Russia over the past two weeks.
  • The death count from the airliner bombings in August is 90.
  • Thirty bodies have been confirmed to be those of terrorists, shown on television dumped in black garbage bags.
  • Nine Arabs were reported to have been found among the dead terrorists, although officials later stated that these were incorrect.
  • Twenty elite Russian soldiers died in the rescue attempt, with 10 reportedly killed in the explosion.
  • 100 or more people are still missing following the siege.

Sources:

  • The New York Times article, "Putin Blames Chechen Leader and Calls Him 'Bastard'", September 3, 2004.
  • The Guardian article, "Putin denounces critics of his Chechnya policy", September 3, 2004.
  • Reuters article, "Russia: No Arab terrorists found among dead", September 2, 2004.
  • Russian government sources, including the F.S.B. and the Kremlin.