Chechen leader Maskhadov killed

Tezcatlipoca · 09-03-2005, 00:43

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4330039.stm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBC News

Russian forces say Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov has been killed.

Russian television showed pictures of a body resembling that of Mr Maskhadov, 53, in a pool of blood in Chechnya.

President Vladimir Putin has asked for further identification. However, Mr Maskhadov's envoy in London, Akhmed Zakayev, later confirmed the death.

Mr Zakayev said resistance in Chechnya would continue despite the death of Mr Maskhadov, seen as the most moderate of Chechnya's rebel commanders.

Mr Maskhadov was elected Chechen president in January 1997 but was ousted two years later.

Thousands of people - many of them civilians - have been killed in the 10-year war between Russian forces and Chechen separatists.

09-03-2005, 01:31

The moderate, ex-president gets killed.

You get this feeling someone is just trying to prolong the agony...

**Paul** · 09-03-2005, 01:34

I'm sure it said on the news that he was shot by his own bodyguard

punky · 09-03-2005, 02:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul M

I'm sure it said on the news that he was shot by his own bodyguard

Yup, he was.

If the videos of the bust are anything to go buy, he didn't seem all that moderate to me

Beslan was the Russian's 9/11. They decided enough is enough to respond with force instead of diplomacy. Time will tell what happens.

I personally believe force should always remain in the foreground, as a constant reminder to the opponents are there, but to always make it clear that diplomacy is always an option. I can't see how it will ever be solved by force alone.