Two jets went down today in Russia and its been revealed that one of the jets sent a hijack alert right before dropping off radar, supporting the suspicion of terrorism. So far, no claim of responsibility that I know of. Here's the CNN page:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe...ash/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe...ash/index.html

...this is the work of terrorists, they're taking an awfully big risk thinking that the CIS is softer than the CCCP. You can only push Russians so far before they come after you and your family and your freaking dog. With the troubles Chechnya is causing, their patience has to be getting pretty thin.

From the looks of it, it likely is terrorism. The odds of two planes going down virtually simultaneously are pretty slim. Not to mention the hijack call (if that's what it was). If it was terrorism you can bet your behind Putin is going after them guns blazing.

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If this really is a terror attack, the former USSR is not going to be constrained by the same trifling concerns over human rights that the U.S. is.

We're talking parking lot here.

Catz

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Job 13:5 (New International Version)
If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.

The Russian regime of Putin have been commiting war crimes in Chechnya since the conflict started in the 1990's! How aggressive could they get? They have already went into Grozny with "Guns blazing" many times and still the Mujahideen in Chechnya responds back with more violence!!! THEREFORE, this nonsense...."Guns Blazing" has done nothing but created more violence in the region. The Georgians which are not Muslims also fight the Russians! So, what difference does it make to come in with "guns blazing" since the Chechens always respond with even more destruction.

But if it was, I can assure you the Russians will react in a way we have not seen before.

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Please continue....I'm interested.

Russia and Chechnya have been warring on and off since 1991. The war is unpopular in the west. So, while fighting does continue, Russia is under pressure to not go full out. Two quotes.

Condoleezza Rice: "For instance, on Chechnya, we clearly have differences with the Russian government about Chechnya. We've said to them that we fully agree that the Chechen leadership should not involve itself with terrorist elements in that region, and there are terrorist elements in that region. But that not every Chechen is a terrorist and that the Chechens' legitimate aspirations for political solution should be pursued by the Russians. And we have been very actively pressing the Russian government to move on the political front with Chechnya".

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee: "Western criticism of the Chechen war has heightened Russian suspicions about US and Western activity in neighboring areas, be it energy pipeline decisions involving the Caucasus and Central Asia, NATO's continuing role in the Balkans, or NATO's relations with the Baltic states".

Russia is very sensitive to how the West responds to such issues. My guess is that IF Chechen rebels hijacked the planes, it would give Putin the go ahead to wipe them out. And he would. And like Catz stated, the Russians have historically not had much of a hang up regarding human rights.

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I guess we just sit back and wait then...this is a horrible turn of events, and it sounds like it could get a lot worse from what you and Catz are saying. How can they prove who caused the crashes?

but most of the time the quilty party (if there is one) either comes out and takes responsibility or is found out. After all, the pasengers on the plane are likely known. Hell, it may be nothing!

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