9/2 http://csua.org/u/8wm (LA Times)
A senior Russian security official said authorities are faced with a
dilemma even worse than the 2002 seizure of the Dubrovka Theater in
Moscow by Chechen militants, which led to the death of 129 hostages
and 41 guerrillas when Russian troops gassed the theater and stormed
in. "The situation is much worse than Dubrovka. Believe me, much worse
... It seems almost certain that the hostage-takers are not really
interested in negotiations, or any demands. So far, we haven't gotten
any coherent statement of what they really want. ... They are just
biding their time, as if waiting for us to start storming this school,
and then they will blow everything up. I think they are ready to blow
themselves up, together with the hostages, in any case. It seems to be
their one and only plan."
So, you are Putin. What do you do? Please withold jibes about vodka
and "In Soviet Russia ...".
\_ Decimate the Chechens (i.e. kill every 10th). Do so after every
terrorist act by the Chechens.
\_ I read that as Chickens and was very confused...
\_ "Fear...will keep the local systems in line."
\_ As far as the current crisis, there is really only 2 options.
A siege, starve them out, or gas 'em again. Probably niether
would be very effiective. I guess the previous guy's idea
might work over the long run.
\_ Why not a standoff while you try to bring in some hostage-taker's
relatives and religious authority figures and see if they can
convince them to let everyone go in exchange for amnesty.
\_ Oooo, family members. Good idea. But who's getting the
amnesty? The terrorists or the family members? North
N. Korean style would be to kill the terrorists AND their
extended families.
\_ tactical nukes over rebel hideouts
\_ Why do you hate thermonuclear weapons?
\_ You're really a moron, you know that? You undercut any
sensible counter-argument Cheney and friends *could* have.
\_ I don't think the thermonuclear comment was made
seriously. You're STILL the moron.
\_ Cheney offers to help with Russian hostage
situation! "We have to many of these things
anyway, and I've always wanted to drop one or two
on Ruskies!" |