Interior ministry General Mikhail Rudchenko, who oversees the southern Russian adminstrative region, and his deputy identified only as General Davydov, died when their helicopter exploded over Chechnya. Preliminary evidence showed that the explosion was the result of "an act of terrorism," suggesting an attack by Chechen rebels. 11 people were on board the helicopter, which went down when it was flying over Chechnya's northern Nadterechny region, which fell under Russian control at the start of the 28-month Chechen war. The downing coincided with the five-year anniversary of the election of separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov as president, whose term officially expired Sunday.
This is that arm of the terror war that the US tries to ignore. I believe Bush received Maskhadov last week. He should think real hard on this subject: the Russers supported us in Afghanistan, and the Chechens were among the most fanatical gunmen on the other side. |