Russia says U.S. shares terror view
Pre-emptive strikes against militants OK, defense minister says
The Associated Press
Monday, September 13, 2004
MOSCOW Russia has the right to carry out pre-emptive strikes on militant bases abroad, Russia's defense minister said yesterday. He said Moscow and the United States see eye to eye on fighting terrorism.
Sergei Ivanov did not say what countries might be possible targets for a strike, but Russian officials in the past have said Chechen separatists have bases in nearby Georgia, and Moscow has had friction with that country's pro-U.S. government over the issue.
President Vladimir Putin has blamed international terrorism for the school hostage crisis at Beslan. He lashed out at those in the West who advise Russia to conduct peace talks with rebels in Chechnya, suggesting that they should negotiate with Osama bin Laden.
President Bush visited the Russian Embassy in Washington yesterday, signing a book of condolence and expressing outrage at the actions of "evil terrorists."
Ivanov told the NTV television channel said the U.S. administration was more receptive to Moscow's arguments on how to fight terror than some European officials.
There was no immediate U.S. comment on Russia's right to pre-emptive strikes. Speaking yesterday on Fox television, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell said the school seizure and other recent attacks in Russia highlighted the need for stronger global anti-terror efforts.
Ivanov repeated yesterday an earlier statement that a "pre-emptive strike may involve anything, except nuclear weapons."
Officials have identified some of the attackers in the school seizure as Chechens.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said the school hostage-taking was directed by Shamil Basayev, the most notorious of the warlords leading Chechen rebels who have been fighting Russian forces for five years.
Lavrov also said Aslan Maskhadov, Chechnya's president from 1996-99, was connected to the hostage-taking.
An envoy for Maskhadov denied that claim.
In an apparent attempt to exploit reported dissension among Chechen rebels, a Russian security official said Chechen militants are eligible for a $10 million reward for information about top rebel leaders.
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Florida woman burned by poisoned soda
Associated Press
COOPER CITY, Fla. - A supermarket worker was critically injured after drinking from a soda that was laced with a caustic substance, authorities said Sunday.
Santosh Malhotra, 68, was hospitalized with chemical burns to her mouth and throat, Broward sheriff's spokesman Jim Leljedal said. He described her condition as critical.
Malhotra drank from a 20-ounce bottle of Diet Coke that was refrigerated in an employee-only area of a Winn-Dixie store Saturday, authorities said. She felt a burning sensation, spat out the liquid and vomited.
Officials did not say whether the bottle had been opened before Malhotra took a drink. An initial test showed the presence of a substance similar to a weed killer.
Leljedal said authorities believe the incident was isolated, but did not know whether Malhotra had been specifically targeted.
Dan Schafer, a spokesman for the Coca-Cola Co., said, "We don't see anything in it to believe it's anything other than an isolated incident."
Winn-Dixie spokeswoman Kathy Lussier said the company wanted to get a briefing from investigators before pursuing any action.
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/news/nation/9647331.htm