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02/09/2004
32 hostages released in Russia school seige
Thirty-two women and children have been released by terrorists who took over a school in North Ossetia on Wednesday morning.
The 17 armed men and women who took over the school in Beslan are still holding over 300 people as hostage. Reuters reported yesterday that eight civilians have been killed by the terrorist group.
It is understood that the terrorists have demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Chechnya in order to resolve the crisis.
Russian authorities, who have a history of sending in troops to resolve hostage situations, have said that force will not be used. Security services said there was no question of using force while negotiations were ongoing.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today to once again offer the country Britain's support and solidarity.
Mr Straw said: "I said to Mr Lavrov that of course they have good forces in the Russian Federation, but it went without saying that we would do everything we could. As Foreign Minister Lavrov said and as I heard on the Radio that President Putin said, they are absolutely clear that the safety of those children is the paramount concern and I'm sure they will follow that."
In a speech on Britain's relationship with the UN at Chatham House today, Jack Straw said that the incident showed how terrorists would "attack anyone, anywhere, without a shred of human compassion".
"The trauma for those poor innocent children is unspeakable, the anxiety for their parents unimaginable. Their suffering is our suffering," he added.
(gmcg/mb)
The 17 armed men and women who took over the school in Beslan are still holding over 300 people as hostage. Reuters reported yesterday that eight civilians have been killed by the terrorist group.
It is understood that the terrorists have demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Chechnya in order to resolve the crisis.
Russian authorities, who have a history of sending in troops to resolve hostage situations, have said that force will not be used. Security services said there was no question of using force while negotiations were ongoing.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov today to once again offer the country Britain's support and solidarity.
Mr Straw said: "I said to Mr Lavrov that of course they have good forces in the Russian Federation, but it went without saying that we would do everything we could. As Foreign Minister Lavrov said and as I heard on the Radio that President Putin said, they are absolutely clear that the safety of those children is the paramount concern and I'm sure they will follow that."
In a speech on Britain's relationship with the UN at Chatham House today, Jack Straw said that the incident showed how terrorists would "attack anyone, anywhere, without a shred of human compassion".
"The trauma for those poor innocent children is unspeakable, the anxiety for their parents unimaginable. Their suffering is our suffering," he added.
(gmcg/mb)
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