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Russian press berates Western media
bbc.co.uk ^ | Tuesday, 29 October, 2002, 13:01 GMT | BBC

Posted on 10/29/2002 9:32:58 AM PST by Destro

Tuesday, 29 October, 2002, 13:01 GMT

Russian press berates Western media

Russia's press is by turns indignant and puzzled at western media reactions to the Moscow hostage drama. Komsomolskaya Pravda is particularly indignant at the US media's response to the tragedy.

It says the Washington Post and the New York Times were at pains to play down any comparison with September 11.

"We wept sincerely with America" on September 11 but US journalists "did nothing but say that what had happened was a blow to Putin, one that he deserved".

"It was very hard to find a quote in a US newspaper expressing sympathy, support or solidarity," laments Komsomolskaya Pravda.

Solidarity, however, was in abundance in a letter from French President Jacques Chirac to Mr Putin. The letter is printed in full in the leading daily Izvestiya, which says it was precisely Russia's response to September 11 that made such sentiments possible.

"We told the West that from now on Russia was an ally," it says. "At the same time, however, we could really believe that the West for its part had begun to treat us like an ally."

"Only now can we believe it," declares Izvestiya.

Danish connection

Russia reserves its greatest indignation for the Danes.

Denmark is hosting a meeting of the World Congress of Chechens in Copenhagen. President Putin has responded by cancelling a mid-November visit to Denmark.

Izvestiya remarks that Russia is "puzzled to say the least" at Danish claims that there are no constitutional grounds for cancelling the congress.

Vanishing politicians

And while many newspapers take issue with the apparent over-eagerness of some politicians to turn up at the scene of the drama, one was noticeably absent.

The popular daily Moskovskiy Komsomolets says the current head of administration in Chechnya, Akhmad Kadyrov, "vanished" when the possibility of him being exchanged for a number of hostages was touted.

It admits, however, that it would be unfair to condemn someone "for a reluctance to die".

Russia in mourning

Izvestiya strikes a sombre note with an article datelined: "29 October 2002. Russia. A day of mourning".

"This edition of Izvestiya is their requiem," the article says, "We bow our heads in memory of those who died in the act of terrorism in Moscow."

Elsewhere Izvestiya notes that "Russia now has its own September 11, the tragedy of 23-26 October" complete with a graphic image of a hero fit to rank alongside the New York firefighters.

"The symbol of the day is the special service operative," the daily says, "carrying the frail body of a rescued woman out of a building that has been mined with explosives".

October lessons

Izvestiya believes there are lessons to be learnt. It calls for stronger democracy, a public or parliamentary inquiry and an end to the assumption that the public is not sufficiently mature to be kept properly informed.

If the state cannot trust its "unarmed public, it will be left face to face with the terrorists while all those who do not bear arms - i.e. the vast majority - will be the hostages".

Moskovskiy Komsomolets believes the time for talks is over. It ponders President Vladimir Putin's comment that Russia "will respond with measures commensurate to the threats".

Experts the newspaper consulted weren't certain but thought "this might mean the pre-emptive use of weapons of mass destruction".

In other words, troops in Chechnya will now "have the chance to use military hardware and weaponry previously regarded as unsuitable for local conflicts at home and intended only for warfare on a global scale".

'Stop fighting'

An Izvestiya reporter visits a Moscow school, which has representatives of 18 different ethnic groups amongst the pupils.

She finds that there are only girls in class. Why? The boys "are constantly being stopped on the streets and their documents checked".

The girls describe how suspicion of "people from the Caucasus" affects them everyday: "You go onto the metro, nobody says anything but you feel like you're the centre of attention... They look at us as if it's our fault."

They go on to wonder what adult life will be like and state bluntly: "There's only one solution - stop fighting."

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Russia
KEYWORDS: chechnya
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They go on to wonder what adult life will be like and state bluntly: "There's only one solution - stop fighting."

Now the little Muslims get it!

The New York Times, The Washington Post and Times, most major newspapers on the right and left have been for a decade great supporters of the Chechen jihad. The neocons and the neo-liberals are both sides of the same coin. They both want the same world agenda but for different reasons. The neo-cons back breakaway states; especially Islamic ones and especially Islamic ones along major oil export routes. The neo-liberals also back breakaway states; but because they hate the concept of Western inspired nationalism. Neo-liberals want to end national sovereignty, a Western civilization concept.

Both these groups have entrenched advocacy groups that wine and dine opinion and policy makers. A pro-Chechen independent lobby exists in Washington whose members are the whose who of American political life (the funding for this lobby is a secret-my guess? The Saudis). Remember Sen. McCain wanted to start WW3 to help the Chechens over the Russians, forcing Bush to talk tough about Russia in regards to Chechnya too (Bush had to to take the issue away because the media was using McCain's stance on Chechnya to prove McCain would be a better, tougher president-thats why that reporter ambushed Bush on Pakistan and Chechnya knowledge back when-remember?).

I feel we have an insidious 5th column in the United States made of Americans who have masters other than the constitution.

1 posted on 10/29/2002 9:32:58 AM PST by Destro
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To: Destro
I agree.

Every stereotype of arrogant, uncaring, apathetic Americans was and is being reinforced by the BS that the networks and the press have been putting out.

This was the only place that broke the mold.
2 posted on 10/29/2002 9:45:26 AM PST by swarthyguy
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To: Destro
When one considers how bad things COULD have been with this hostage situation, you realize there are some heros over there that are being ignored. While there are many things to be annoyed with about this article, I'm bothered most that your average Russian who reads the US press may come to believe that the average American not only feels no sympathy for their loss, but blames them for it. To any Russians who may visit FR, please know that many of us average Americans are rather disgusted by the American press too. Having recently lost many of our citizens to terrorists, we know some of your pain as well. We have a common enemy.
3 posted on 10/29/2002 9:52:37 AM PST by mad puppy
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Comment #4 Removed by Moderator

To: Destro
October lessons
Izvestiya believes there are lessons to be learnt. It calls for stronger democracy, a public or parliamentary inquiry and an end to the assumption that the public is not sufficiently mature to be kept properly informed.
If the state cannot trust its "unarmed public, it will be left face to face with the terrorists while all those who do not bear arms - i.e. the vast majority - will be the hostages".

5 posted on 10/29/2002 10:23:58 AM PST by sam_paine
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To: Destro
The Russian Media must accept the reality that while they(The Russian Media) has been liberated by that countries move away from Communism, our western media still is in love with communism and resents the fact that Russia escaped from it's grip, rather than the West becoming communists. The Western Press has nothing good to say about anyone or any country that is working toward freedom for all. Our media in fact, has replaced communism with Islam, which it admires for working so hard and ruthlessly to enslave the whole world.

We the majority of westerners, are elated at Russias new found freedom and the blessings there of. We also congradulate those who made the decision as how to end the hostage situation, those who carried it out and the success of the mission. Only complete d*mn fools around the world (or those who support the terrorists) will carp upon the the number of casualties of the rescue operation, , while ignoring what the casualty count would have been if the Terrorists had been allowed to remain in control, killing hostages as it pleased them, or detonating the explosives they had planted.

6 posted on 10/29/2002 10:25:17 AM PST by F.J. Mitchell
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To: Democracy1154
Last I lookedOsama used to be our terrorist before he went rogue. Last I read the Iraqi nuclear power plant can't be diverted to make nuclear weapons. At least the Iraqis are both paying for the plant and allowing UN inspectors as per international treaty. Unlike what what happened in North Korea.
7 posted on 10/29/2002 10:33:48 AM PST by Destro
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To: Democracy1154
sorry-insert Iran for Iraq.
8 posted on 10/29/2002 10:34:38 AM PST by Destro
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To: Destro
Russian press berates Western media

Haven't they heard of media-PC yet? Why, our press had precious little sympathy for the Aussies in Bali!

9 posted on 10/29/2002 10:57:41 AM PST by mikeIII
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To: Destro
>>Unlike what what happened in North Korea.

Brought to you by our "friends" the Pakistanis. And the Chinese....and now Saudi will get the fruits of pakistani armaments, missiles and wmd.

May the Russians now start to annhilate the jihadis. Anywhere.
10 posted on 10/29/2002 11:06:09 AM PST by swarthyguy
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To: Destro
Americans were impressed with the difficult and sensitive choice made by Putin. The newspapers listed don't like conservatives either. Putin's in good company, he's with us.

It says the Washington Post and the New York Times were at pains to play down any comparison with September 11.

"We wept sincerely with America" on September 11 but US journalists "did nothing but say that what had happened was a blow to Putin, one that he deserved".

11 posted on 10/29/2002 11:21:35 AM PST by GOPJ
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To: Destro; MarMema
Russians Won't Give Rebel Bodies To Chechen Families 10-29-2

MOSCOW (PTI) -- Russian authorities have refused to hand over the bodies of 50 Chechen guerrillas killed in the special forces' operation to end the Moscow theatre siege to their relatives for burial.

The eighteeen women suicide-bombers and 32 militants killed in Saturday's pre-dawn assault by the FSB commandos would be buried by the authorities at secret locations, according to TVS channel.

Meanwhile, Moscow City Hall and the Government of Moscow Region have separately announced compensation of 100,000 rouble (approx 3000 dollars) each to the families of 118 people killed in the hostage drama, "Mayak" radio said.

Moscow City authorities would also bear the expenses of the funeral of the hostage victims.


Copyright © 2002 Press Trust of India Ltd. All rights reserved.

12 posted on 10/29/2002 11:30:55 AM PST by swarthyguy
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To: Destro; MarMema
Russians Won't Give Rebel Bodies To Chechen Families 10-29-2

MOSCOW (PTI) -- Russian authorities have refused to hand over the bodies of 50 Chechen guerrillas killed in the special forces' operation to end the Moscow theatre siege to their relatives for burial.

The eighteeen women suicide-bombers and 32 militants killed in Saturday's pre-dawn assault by the FSB commandos would be buried by the authorities at secret locations, according to TVS channel.

Meanwhile, Moscow City Hall and the Government of Moscow Region have separately announced compensation of 100,000 rouble (approx 3000 dollars) each to the families of 118 people killed in the hostage drama, "Mayak" radio said.

Moscow City authorities would also bear the expenses of the funeral of the hostage victims.


Copyright © 2002 Press Trust of India Ltd. All rights reserved.

13 posted on 10/29/2002 11:30:59 AM PST by swarthyguy
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To: Destro; MarMema
Russians Won't Give Rebel Bodies To Chechen Families 10-29-2

MOSCOW (PTI) -- Russian authorities have refused to hand over the bodies of 50 Chechen guerrillas killed in the special forces' operation to end the Moscow theatre siege to their relatives for burial.

The eighteeen women suicide-bombers and 32 militants killed in Saturday's pre-dawn assault by the FSB commandos would be buried by the authorities at secret locations, according to TVS channel.

Meanwhile, Moscow City Hall and the Government of Moscow Region have separately announced compensation of 100,000 rouble (approx 3000 dollars) each to the families of 118 people killed in the hostage drama, "Mayak" radio said.

Moscow City authorities would also bear the expenses of the funeral of the hostage victims.


Copyright © 2002 Press Trust of India Ltd. All rights reserved.

14 posted on 10/29/2002 11:31:05 AM PST by swarthyguy
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To: swarthyguy
The eighteeen women suicide-bombers and 32 militants killed in Saturday's pre-dawn assault by the FSB commandos would be buried by the authorities at secret locations, according to TVS channel.

I know why, but it's too bad the graves' location will be secret. Freedom loving people can't go and relieve themselves on planted terrorists if they don't know where...

15 posted on 10/29/2002 11:39:08 AM PST by Chemist_Geek
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To: Chemist_Geek; CARepubGal
Hope they detach the heads before burying and let jihadis know what they've done. HOg carcasses next to them would be ok too, as long as they take pictures and plaster them all over the place.
16 posted on 10/29/2002 11:44:32 AM PST by swarthyguy
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To: Democracy1154
Let's see US Media vs. the Rooskies and you choose the media? Guess you have no idea who the real enemy is. Too bad.
17 posted on 10/29/2002 11:45:51 AM PST by justshutupandtakeit
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Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: IllegalAliensOUT
?
19 posted on 10/29/2002 1:25:37 PM PST by Destro
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To: Destro
Just how many people live in Chechnya, and how many Chechnyans have been killed in this war for terror?

Because it seems like Russia is not hurting them enough.

20 posted on 10/29/2002 3:54:20 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
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