[COEXERJ145]

Chechen terrorists are, and always've been, a part of AlQaeda.

Actually Al-Qaeda didn't move in until after the First Chechen War. That was when the terrorists and radical Islamists poured into the region. However, not all Chechen terrorists attacks are direct Al-Qaeda operations. Al-Qaeda is involved, usually with money and training, but this one sounds like some of their people fought along side the Chechens instead of sitting in the background watching the whole thing.

[BushFaninATL]

If Al-Qaeda is involved in anyway in Chechyna, guarantee this: John Kerry will blame Bush because he was distracted by Saddam Hussein when he should have focused on Al-Qaeda.

If Kerry does this, it will totally accredit the whole reason Zell Miller is so angry - blame US first before the actual terrorists.

[silversky]

Actually Al-Qaeda didn't move in until after the First Chechen War

To be exact, the Wahhabists moved into Chechnya before the Soviet Afghan war. That was one of the reasons for the war. Al-Qaeda is just an outgrow of Wahhabism and have been in Chechnya since it's formation. So we're both right. In broader terms, Chechen terrorists are entirely a product of Wahhabism. They predate Al-Qaeda and probably have influenced it.