flynn23 wrote:

Jello wrote:

flynn23 wrote:
Jello wrote:

I'm glad he's dead. Basayev was a monster. But before we start cheering, lets try to remember the fact that about half of the people of Chechnya are DEAD, and that it was Russian butchers that turned ordinary men like Basayev into monsters. Those seeking to stop outright genocide waged by a nuclear power against their people rarely have the luxury of decency.

Agreed. The story behind what's gone on there is horrific. It's one thing to see the sheer terror across the African continent and its warring tribes and sects, but this is a leading power that has basically stopped at nothing to eradicate what essentially amounts to a creed of people. It's the same as if the US had destroyed Hawaii. The reason why this assassination was crowed so much about was that it's likely the last nail in the coffin. There's no one left to fight and ethnic cleansing has already taken its toll there.

I don't think Russia is the sole villian by any means, though. When Chechnya had effective independance during Yeltsin's reign after the first Chechyn war, they had this... bad habit of invading Russia and taking entire towns hostage.

That might have been due to the fact that economically they were not independant. No jobs. Invisible 'sanctions' and tariffs. Rampant corruption.

In any case, there's never just one villian in any conflict. Particularly when blood gets shed.

I agree. I think the take-home message is that this is not a conflict worth cheering about when ANYONE dies... the only good news will be peace. A lasting, meaningful peace whereby Chechnya is allowed to grow and prosper.

RE: CNN.com - Russia kills most-wanted warlord - Jul 10, 2006