Posted on 09/03/2004 12:43:57 PM PDT by .cnI redruM
Islamic terrorists have really done themselves one better this time. They took over a school in Beslan, Russia and proceeded to use little children as human shields when the Russian military showed up to evict them. Vladamir Putin has now officially declared a War On Terror. BBC printed a timeline that oulines the brutality.
FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER
1720: The bodies of 79 victims have been identified, says a North Ossetian security official.
1700: Emergencies ministry official says 646 people, including 227 children, are in hospital, reports Itar-Tass news agency.
1608: Interfax news agency cites presidential aide as saying total number of hostages held in school may have been as many as 1,200.
1605: Explosion heard again in school vicinity.
1540: The bodies of sixty victims of the siege have been identified.
1530: Officials say the death toll could be much higher than 150.
1520: Presidential adviser Aslambek Aslakhanov says that there were at least nine Arabs among the hostage-takers.
1514: Officials say that some children are still being held hostage.
1450: Interfax reports three rebels have blockaded themselves into Russian school basement, possibly including head hostage-taker.
1440: Regional emergency officials confirm that there are at least 100 dead bodies in the school gym.
1430: There are reports that gunmen are still firing from the school.
1407: Interfax reports that 10 of the hostage-takers were killed in shoot-outs.
1345: Interfax reports that more than 100 bodies have been found in the school gym.
1330: Russian security services say their assault on the school had not been planned.
1322: More than 400 people have been injured during the siege, officials say.
1311: Interfax news agency reports that dozens were killed when the school roof collapsed earlier.
1305: Dozens of dead bodies are reported to have been seen inside the school gym.
1250: Army brings in "huge" pile of body bags, a BBC correspondent reports.
1218: At least seven dead, reports Itar-Tass.
1207: Gunfire and explosions can be heard in the vicinity of the school.
1203: Twenty seriously wounded children have been evacuated from the town for treatment, Itar-Tass reports citing health officials.
1200: Interfax reports that the five dead bodies are those of children.
1153: Regional emergency officials say 250 hostages wounded, including 180 children, the Associated Press reports.
1150: At least five bodies covered in white sheets are lying outside the school.
1145: BBC correspondent says it appears that many children are still unaccounted for despite claims that all have been evacuated from building.
1140: Gunfire continues to be heard from the school.
1125: Russian news agencies say security forces are attacking house where rebels are thought to be hiding.
1120: Reports that 13 gunmen have barricaded themselves into a house in Beslan.
1115: Interfax news agency reports all hostages have been taken out of the school.
1108: At least three dead bodies have been removed from the school, agencies report.
1105: Explosions and gunfire continue in the vicinity of the school.
1100: There is speculation that fleeing hostage-takers may have taken some children with them.
1055: Convoys of cars and ambulances arrive at the school to ferry the wounded away.
1050: There are reports that the rebels are trying to escape from the city.
1045: Russian news agency Itar-Tass says the noise is the sound of soldiers blowing holes in walls to allow hostages to escape.
1040: Loud explosions are once again reported at the school.
1030: Some 158 children are reported to be in hospital.
1028: Witnesses see paramedics enter building with stretchers.
1015: Reports say that five of the hostage-takers have been killed.
1013: Interfax news agency quotes Russian official as saying that most of the hostages are alive.
1005: Russian army commanders report that their troops are nearly in full control of the building.
0958: There are reports that Russian special forces have entered the school.
0953: Another large explosion is heard.
0946: Some of the hostage-takers reportedly try to leave the building.
0931: Ambulances start ferrying the wounded away. An emergency military hospital has been set up near the school.
0930: School roof is reported to have collapsed.
0925: Four helicopters are seen hovering over the school.
0914: A group of about 30 hostages escape from the school. Some of the children are covered in blood.
0905: Two loud explosions occur - it is thought shortly after vehicles arrive to remove the bodies of those killed earlier. Automatic gunfire is then heard near the school. Heavily armed soldiers are seen running towards the building.
0849: Agreement is reached with the rebels to send vehicles to remove those killed earlier. THURSDAY 2 SEPTEMBER
1240: Following negotiations with former Ingush President Ruslan Aushev, the attackers release 26 women and children.
1100: President Putin says the main aim is to save the lives of the hostages, and adds that the security forces will make every effort to ensure that no lives are put at risk.
1000: Ruslan Aushev, Afghan war hero and former president of neighbouring Ingushetia region, holds talks with hostage-takers in school gym.
0900: Russian authorities rule out the use of force to end the siege.
WEDNESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER
2300: The attackers end contact with Dr Leonid Roshal - a negotiator during an earlier siege - no agreement is reached.
2130: Dr Roshal begins talks with the armed group.
2000: One of the attackers tells the New York Times that they belong to a militant organisation called Riyadh al-Salihin, led by Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev.
1250: A presidential aide says that the hostage-takers are demanding the withdrawal of Russian troops from Chechnya as well as the other demands reported earlier.
1030: Reports say the attackers are threatening to kill 50 hostages for each killed member of the group.
0900: President Vladimir Putin breaks off his holiday and returns to Moscow for an emergency meeting on the siege.
0840: The attackers demand the release of fighters seized in neighbouring Ingushetia in June during a raid on the region, Itar-Tass news agency reports.
0750: Reports say the attackers are threatening to blow up the school if troops try to storm the building. They are said to have sent the authorities a note with a woman hostage whom they released. In it they demand that two regional leaders and Dr Roshal be summoned for talks. At the same time, the attackers are reported to be placing children on display at the windows of the building as human shields.
0530: Masked men and women, wearing bomb belts, burst into Beslan's School Number One, opening fire in the courtyard as a ceremony marking the beginning of the school year is finishing. Reports say they arrived from neighbouring Ingushetia in a hijacked Gaz-66 military lorry and police car. Children and adults are then forced by the attackers into the school gym and the building is reportedly mined.
Radio Free Europe reports that Russia may be set to declare it;s own War on Terror. Against the backdrop described below, Russia appears set to launch it's own dedicated anti-terror effort.
As Russia continues to reel from an unprecedented wave of terrorist attacks that apparently included the 24 August downing of two civilian airliners and the ongoing takeover of a school in North Ossetia, it increasingly seems that the country is on the edge of a transformation similar to that experienced by the United States following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks there.
I'd hate to be in their shoes.
This is a war of civilization against barbarism. The Chechen terrorists have done their people no good by choosing the tactics of al Qaeda and the Palestinian suicide bombers to express their despair.
Wait. Shouldn't they ask France for advice and permission to do something?
I expect an extremely strong and bloody response from Putin. And they deserve it!
"It looks like the Islamic terror networks may have bitten off a little more than they can chew once more. The US may be a dangerous enemy, but The Russians never forget a slieght or injustice."
If the Ruskies had dealt with those terrorist savages decisively when they killed all those men, women and children in the Moscow theater, then this would not have happened. Maybe they will deal with them now, in the only way possible, kill them all, where ever they are.
Oops! You're absolutely right. The inspectors must be sent in!
Of course! And don't forget to wait for the proper UN resolutions and blessings!!!
The Russian philosophy on fighting terror is modeled after their approach to winning World War II which was, when the Germans invaded Stalingrade, they left the civilians in the city because it would help confuse and distract the Germans. That's the same way they dealt with the theatre hostage situation, etc. In other words it is better that all the civilians caught in the middle of a conflict die than the enemy achieve it's objective.
After this horrific tragedy in Beslan, the subway suicide bombing in Moscow, and the crash of two airplanes, Russia is finally getting it, although it's unfortunate it has taken so many lives. The lesson is clear: the only way to deal with terrorists is through the barrel of a gun and not by turning the other way.
What is happening in Russia can only vindicate and justify Bush's relentless determination to pursue terrorists. I hope Putin will show similar backbone.
[Maybe they will deal with them now, in the only way possible, kill them all, where ever they are.]
Unfortunatley, just sending in Spetnaz soldiers to kill a bunch of people won't solve the problem in Chechnya.
The only analogy that comes to mind is the IRA and the Northern Ireland situation. There has to be some kind of peace process negotiated (something akin to that of North Ireland situation) or the cycle of violence will just continue.
Thank God.
BumPING
You don't have to negotiate with somebody who is dead.
"Unfortunatley, just sending in Spetnaz soldiers to kill a bunch of people won't solve the problem in Chechnya.
The only analogy that comes to mind is the IRA and the Northern Ireland situation. There has to be some kind of peace process negotiated (something akin to that of North Ireland situation) or the cycle of violence will just continue"
No, there is no 'cycle of violence', this is terrorism pure and simple
I reject your moral relativism
There can be no thought of negotiation with these people, people who murder children-period!
Now, now. Nothing worthwhile was ever achieved with a defeatist attitude. Let's try giving the fine soldiers of the Spetznaz a free hand. For that matter, a few good men from the old KGB could probably do absolute wonders for the Chechen attitude.
please pray for them
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