To the Ironies of Peace (295 hits)
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Submitted by Impassive-Digressive (View user info) at 2005-07-25 04:43:05 EDT
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RUSSIAN SCHOOL SIEGE TOLL BREAKS 350
SBS World News
5 Sept. 2004. 10:53am
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With the death toll from the Russian school siege exceeding 350, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has vowed to tighten national security. Maintaining his uncompromising stance on the war against Chechen separatists, Mr. Putin said that if Russia allowed itself to be blackmailed by terror, millions of people would be plunged into bloody ethnic conflicts.
Amidst his condemnation, however, the president conceded that his government had underestimated new strategic threats.
"We did not understand the complexity and the danger of the process which was emerging in our country and in the entire world," he said.
Earlier he flew to Beslan, where more than 1,000 children and adults were taken hostage on Wednesday. The hostage crisis was the latest in a string of attacks in Russia linked to rebels from the breakaway republic of Chechnya. A timeline of the conflict can be seen below:
TIMELINE: [Inset]
1991: Collapse of the Soviet Union. Amidst the turmoil, Chechnya declares independence from Russia.
1992: Chechnya adopts a constitution defining it as an independent, secular state governed by a president and parliament.
1994: December - Russian troops enter Chechnya to quash the independence movement. Up to 100,000 people - many of them civilians - are estimated to have been killed in the 20-month war that followed.
1996: August - Chechen rebels launch a successful attack on the capital, Grozny; cease-fire is declared. An agreement on Russian troop withdrawals is signed.
1997: January - Russia recognises independent Chechen government
1999: July/August - Chechen fighters clash with Russian troops on the border
2000: February - Russian troops capture Grozny; much of the city is razed.
2000: May - President Putin declares direct rule from Moscow.
2002: December - Suicide bomb attack on the Grozny headquarters of the Russian-backed Chechen government kills around 80 people. Rebels claim responsibility.
2004: October - Kremlin-backed former Interior Minister Alu Alkhanov sworn in as president following August elections.
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SBS Television Studios: Melbourne, Australia
20 July 2005. 6:33pm
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"Good evening, I'm Mary Kostakidis with SBS World News." Her greeting complete, Mary's smile fell as her face took on its trademark news-reader deadpan. The autocue text began to scroll.
"Heading up our bulletin this evening, an attack on a police vehicle in war-torn Chechnya has left over a dozen dead, including two children. We cross live by audio linkup to Russian correspondent Peter Phelps."
"Peter, I understand that this is one of the most serious attacks in the region since last year's school hostage crisis."
"That's correct Mary. The official death toll stands at 14, with police officers making up the bulk of the casualties." The voice crackled over the line. "It is believed that attackers opened fire on a police vehicle in the small Chechen town of Znamenskoye before blowing up a second vehicle which arrived to provide assistance."
"Has anybody claimed responsibility for the attack?"
"Not as yet, Mary. However, Chechnya's President Alu Alkhanov claims to have evidence linking the attack to insurgents working for Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev."
"I see, and how does this affect the Kremlin's current stance on Chechnya?"
"Well, it is reported that President Vladimir Putin has ordered an acceleration of plans to tighten borders in the volatile region. This could well be achieved by sending additional troops to the region. Naturally, such action runs the risk of escalating an already volatile situation."
"Thankyou Peter. Russian correspondent, Peter Phelps there with the latest on the attacks in Chechnya." She paused, and shot a glance down the barrel of the camera. "Up next, a report on the nation's indigenous health spending....."
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CHECHEN REBEL LEADER KILLED
Reuters Newswire
18 Aug 2007. 7:44pm
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A violent explosion has torn apart a block of buildings on the outskirts of the Chechen capital Grozny. Among the 21 reported killed in the blast was rebel leader Shamil Basayev.
Neither Chechnya's President Alkhanov nor Russian President Putin offered comment on the cause of the blast or those responsible. Sources within the Kremlin have revealed that Putin had been plotting Basayev's assassination for some time. While Russian involvement remains unconfirmed, the elimination of the rebel leader will undoubtedly serve to further the Kremlin's goals of 'normalisation' for the troubled region.....
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Fish Market: Ulitsa Admirala Fokina, Vladivostok, Russia
15 Feb 2008. 5:43am
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"Good morning Jelena." called the burly fishmonger, his gruff voice barely audible above the cacophony of the market. "The usual?"
"Yes, thankyou." Her breath misted in the biting cold, as a cartful of tuna whizzed past her on a trolley. "Have you heard the news this morning?"
"No, not yet. More health funding cuts?" He grinned wryly; lately there had been a dearth of good news.
"President Putin is dead. He had a heart attack last night."
The fishmonger nodded slowly. "I wouldn't have been brave enough to say it while he was alive, but good riddance. I suppose the election will have to be earlier now?"
"The radio said that the Lower House has called an emergency session to select an acting President. The presidential elections will probably be in early April." She extended a gloved hand, exchanging a wad of roubles and her thanks for the paper-wrapped fish.
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DZHABRAILOV CLEAR WINNER OF RUSSIAN POLL
Reuters Newswire
1 July 2008. 11:24am
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In one of Russia's most watched presidential races, Umar Dzhabrailov has emerged victorious, with 57.8 percent of the popular vote.
Dzhabrailov, a 50-year-old businessman-turned-politician was highly critical of Putin when they both ran for presidency in the 2000 elections and throughout Putin's time in office. He stood on a reform platform, promising to bring Russia 'back into the light'.
It is expected that the new President will attempt to reverse a number of his predecessor's key policies, particularly in regard to the centralisation of power and the ongoing Chechen conflict.
In his acceptance speech, Dzhabrailov declared that he will be striving to improve Russia's standing in the international community, through greater governmental transparency and media independence, and stronger ties - both economically and militarily with both the European Union and China.....
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Itar-Tass News Editing Suite: St. Petersburg, Russia
3 Dec 2008. 10:01pm
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Viktorya Karlov absent-mindedly brushed a strand of auburn hair from her face and pushed the play button on the deck in front of her.
The bank of monitors lit up and she was met by an image of herself, microphone in hand, beneath a glowing streetlamp. The street was thronged with people dancing and laughing. Further down the street, there was a series of small flashes and the staccato crackle of fireworks could be heard.
"The war-torn streets of Grozy have erupted into jubilation with President Dzhabrailov's announcement recognising Chechnya's independence from Russia." The camera panned around, taking in scenes of celebration. "In what many have described as the Russian leader's first real test, he has secured a peace accord, signed by the Russian and Chechen leaders, as well as Chechen rebel president Abdul-Khalim Sadulaev."
Behind her, a small rocket shot into the sky, exploding in a shower of golden sparks.
She continued amid the cheers, "This accord represents the first chance for peace that the Caucasus region has been offered in the last two decades, and despite opposition from a number of vociferous hardline groups, Dzhabrailov's diplomatic success will only serve to improve his already high public popularity...."
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UNDP OPERATION COMMENCES IN CHECHNYA
BBC News
12 Feb 2009. 9:55am
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The United Nations Development Programme's base of operations in Grozny, Chechnya officially opened this morning. One thing is clear; the UNDP certainly has its work cut out.
The past two decades of strife in the region have left Chechnya's infrastructure, economy, health and education systems crippled, and any previous UN attempts to provide assistance, under both the Yeltsin and Putin presidencies, had been vetoed by Russia in the UN Security Council. With Dzhabrailov in power, this looks to be a thing of the past.
Already a number of building conglomerates from the EU have been quick to take up the lucrative infrastructure contracts being offered and Russian energy giant Lukoil has confirmed that the construction of its new oil pipeline from the Caspian Sea will include a large section running through Chechnya. This landmark decision promises to be a lucrative one for both Lukoil and the almost non-existent Chechen resources sector....
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Lukoil Pipeline Construction Site: Kargalinskaya, North-East Chechnya.
16 May 2010, 5:27pm
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Sergei Soshnikov looked up from the untidy stacks of paperwork on his rickety desk. Outside the grubby window of his small site shed, the pipeline gleamed in the fast-fading remnants of evening light. The locally hired Chechen guards patrolled the area, Kalashnikov rifles slung by their sides.
Nikolai Ivanov, the project's construction manager stooped to enter the narrow doorway, white hardhat in hand.
"Nikolai, take a seat my friend." Sergei waved to the dilapidated wooden chair on the other side of his desk. "I trust you are here with good news."
"Of course boss." Nikolai smiled broadly, taking the offered seat. "The Kargalinskaya section of the pipeline is complete." He delivered the statement with more modesty than it deserved.
The gigantic metal tube that lay nearby represented the first major Russian infrastructure project in independent Chechnya. Between them, the two men in the stuffy shed had battled stifling red tape, broken up savage fights between their Russian workers and the Chechen security team hired to protect them, all the while under intense international media scrutiny.
What's more, they managed to stay within 5% of budget.
Sergei's heavily lined face broke into a grin, rising from his seat as the men exchanged a warm handshake. "Splendid. Gather the workers - and any of the off-duty guards, if they are around - this is cause for celebration." He rummaged amongst the jumbled mountain of file boxes behind the desk, removing a specific box and placing it on the floor beside the desk with a clinking rattle before opening it.
Nikolai peered down at the twenty glass bottles in the box.
"Vodka?"
"From my uncle's very own distillery in Omsk."
Nikolai stood, and began striding towards the door.
"I'll fetch the men."
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Same day, 7:12pm
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Raucous laughter broke out amongst a group of the workers as the clear, fiery liquid began to take effect. For perhaps the first time, the Russian and Chechen men seemed to be getting on quite amiably.
Sergei stood apart from the group, surveying the antics of his charges. He blinked in the glare of the floodlights and took a long drag on his cigarette. A serpentine plume of smoke leaked out the side of his mouth as he dropped the butt on the ground and extinguished it with a heavy right boot. Nearby, a pair of slightly unsteady Chechen guards were attempting to teach some of their equally inebriated Russian colleagues a dirty local song.
Hardhat still in one hand, a large - and verging on empty - glass of vodka in the other, Nikolai emerged from the group and raised his drink in a toast.
"To the completion of another successful project."
Sergei nodded in return. With a light clink their glasses met, and the singing rose to a rowdy crescendo.
'To the ironies of peace.' Sergei thought to himself, inhaling in sharply as the vodka lit a fire in his belly.
User Reviews
Submitted by charminglybeef (user info) at 2006-09-19 11:36:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Looking forward to it myself.
Notice you haven't posted in a year! Saving it all up for UM?
Good luck to you, sir.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2006-02-17 18:20:28 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
this story should have won
Submitted by FunnyAsCancer (user info) at 2005-10-30 05:29:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
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