Show Tragedy in Russia g. g y J l I t The Washington Post I do not believe I am exaggerating in affirming that the empire of Russia is a country whose inhabitants are the most miserable on earth because they suffer at atone atone atone one and the same time the evils of barbarism barbarism barbarism bar bar- and of civilization The Marquis de Custine Letters From Russia 1839 MORE THAN years after the Marquis de Custine wrote those words his infamous observations of Russian culture were as relevant as ever this week as the world became acquainted with the full horror of events in southern Russia Since masked gunmen stormed into a school in the town of on Wednesday the first fast day of the Russian school year barbarism has been in evidence evidence evidence evi evi- evi- evi dence along with the worst fruits of civilization automatic weapons bombs grenades suicide belts and attack helicopters The gunmen described as inhuman by those who survived held hundreds of children and their parents hostage for two days without allowing them food or water and they shot at those who tried to escape Russian authorities then stormed the school Friday without any plan The result was chaos on an almost apocalyptic scale Bloody children piles of corpses officials officials officials providing false or contradictory information wild rumors terror and panic It is important in the wake of these events that the US U.S. government reiterate reiterate reiterate reiter reiter- ate its sympathy for the Russians and offer to help track down and identify the terrorists who planned and carried out this attack There can be no excuse no justification no rationalization for the barbarity of seizing a school and turning children into victims Every parent feels the anguish of the parents of It remains true as we have said before that the Russian government should seek seeka a political settlement in where civilians also have been the chief victims for much of the past decade Russian President Vladimir declared that the war was over long ago But the underlying causes of that war have never been dealt with and the war itself has had a devastating effect on society Deeper longer-lasting longer reconciliation between Russia and requires not the Russian imposition imposition imposition impo impo- of another puppet government on but a more profound search for a way in which the two can live side sideby sideby sideby by side in peace This must involve negotiation with moderate and and even moderate separatists the creation of a truly representative government If that is it is not too late already Russia's abominable behavior has helped spark but does not excuse terrorists and their partners in crime terrorism makes less likely but no less essential a solution to misery LP I |