[Myrean]

Sorry that I have to be the voice of question here. I do agree that Putin did what he had to do here and it looks like they did a good job of rescuing their people.

But, I do not agree that this proves that Russia is with us and against the terrorists.

Russia is readying an alternate resolution for the UN Security Council which calls for no consequences for Iraq if they don't allow inspectors free access.

Putin is with us? I think not.

[debg]

i think putin wants a price that bush won't pay...
and then there is france and china
dialing for dollars

i'm hoping bush will say we don't need no stinkin security council at whatever cost.

[Amelia]

Putin is with us? I think not.

I'm thinking that perhaps Putin does not think we're with him yet.

Has our official policy regarding Chechnya changed yet? Do we officially realize that Russia is fighting radical Islamists in Chechnya, just as we are trying to fight them elsewhere?

[windchime]

"Sorry that I have to be the voice of question here."

Questioning is how we learn. No apology is necessary. You may even cause me to reassess my opinion.

I know the Russians have not signed on to the United States version of the UN resolution and prefer not to include military action as a penalty of Iraq's being uncooperative with inspectors. I also know their reluctance has been attributed to financial interaction between Iraq and Russia.
I am unfamiliar with the 'no consequences' alternate resolution they intend to present. Where can I read about it?

The terrorist group the Russians stood up to are part & parcel of the group we're fighting. That's why I said they are WITH us. The Russians made the decision to try to eliminate the terrorists rather than try to 'negotiate' with them. The vulnerability in the heart of their own country will, I think, make them come around.

Briefly stated, they got rid of some of the terrorists that could have been on our doorstep.