Looks like "It's On" in Moscow :(

[funkedup]

Chechens set deadline for killing hostages.
Saying a prayer for the hostages and the assault team which is undoubtedly getting ready to go in.

[MrOrange]

http://www.russiajournal.com/news/cnewswire.shtml?nw=28174#n28172

pretty easy to imagine who's behind it

Saddam Hussein urges Chechen rebels to free hostages
NATIONAL » :: Oct 26, 2002 Posted: 01:13 Moscow time (21:13 GMT)

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BAGHDAD - President Saddam Hussein on Friday urged Chechen rebels to free their hostages in Moscow, saying the standoff will anger the Russian people when the real enemies of Islam are Americans and Israel.

"The tyrant of the age, namely Zionism and America, and not Russia, or China or India are our enemies," Saddam said in a statement read by an announcer over Iraqi state television.

If the siege ends in more bloodshed, he said the Chechens "will lose the sympathy of Russia and the Russian people" and give the Americans and Israelis the opportunity "to stab Islam and the Muslims."

The Iraqi leader issued the appeal as Russia, along with France, was seeking to block a tough, U.S.-sponsored resolution in the U.N. Security Council threatening Baghdad with war if it does not open its doors to U.N. weapons inspectors and give up weapons of mass destruction.

Russian diplomats at the United Nations circulated their own text of a draft resolution eliminating key language which the Americans want adopted before weapons inspectors return to Iraq.

Saddam said he was making his appeal "in order not to let Zionists and Americans take over the land of Islam." If the Chechens end their siege, "we will be partners in the path of goodness," he said.

Continuing the standoff, however, will make the Russian people "ignore the reason behind it even if this reason is logical," he added.

"Therefore, the Chechens and others in the Islamic world will lose and Zionism and America will have the opportunity to stab Islam and the Muslims." he said.

The Iraqi ruler said that by ending their siege, the Chechens would "make an accomplishment not only for yourselves but for Arabs, Muslims and humanity at large." /The Associated Press/

[Udie]

God help those people....

[rogwar]

I have a distinct fear this is going to turn out badly. I hope I am wrong. Imagine being in command of that scene.

Saddam is more or less correct in the indirect part of his thinking. The Chechnians would draw alot more world wide attention (and possible sympathy) to their cause by standing down right now. If they proceed according to their plan I believe they will lose any public western support.

If this continues in the current direction, I am for letting the Russian do what they need to do so to speak to protect themselves. This is cold an contraversial but nevertheless...end it. Terrorism should not be proven a viable solution for any group.

[Wlfgng]

this is the pits...
this kind of thing is snowballing around the world..

the time is past to 'turn the other cheek'.

[funkedup]

Bad:  Sounds like some of the tangos are wired up with explosives.

Good:  Sounds like there is plenty of available intel on locations of tangos.

I just hope the assaulters are able to infiltrate quickly and quietly enough to get some kind of element of surprise and kill the tangos before they can start blowing up.  

[easymo]

"I believe they will lose any public western support. "

It has been reported that there are 3 Americans in there.  If it goes south.  This takes us from lack of support, to a willingness to kill people.

[bikekil]

very sad

[Ripsnort]

From MrOranges link:
"The Iraqi ruler said that by ending their siege, the Chechens would "make an accomplishment not only for yourselves but for Arabs, Muslims and humanity at large."


And we thought OUR politicians were hypocrits!