The declaration of the Federation for peace and conciliation Bureau (International non-governmental organization)

in connection with the terrorist attack in Moscow.

 

   A series of terrorist attacks is extending with an epidemic speed across the globe. And each of these criminal actions acquires more and more challenging and insolent character.

   A hostage taking of 23 October 2002 in Moscow performs a challenge not only to the authorities and civil society of Russia but also to the whole world community.

   Undoubtedly, Russian public expects decisive and effective actions from the power and political authorities of the country. And we hope that the state will finally estimate critically all the events, which have been happening in Moscow and will be able to undertake measures providing an absolute liberation of the hostages and, eventually, will start a real fight against crime and terrorism in Russia.   

   Nevertheless, we consider that it is important in this situation to express a real and decisive international solidarity in the fight against terrorism and give a clear and simple estimation to Chechen bandits. It is known that both Western and some Islamic organizations and structures have been providing militants with political and financial assistance. Such respectable informational giants as BBC and CNN even in the reports about tragic events in Moscow have not been able to preserve their objectivity and shamefully call terrorists as rebels.

   An increase in terrorist activity of Chechen bandits is a result of the double standards policy, which is conducted by some politicians and businessmen both in Russia and in the international community.

   To prevent such crimes in future will be possible only if bandits, based in Chechnya and on the adjacent territories and their partisans realize that they will never and under no conditions find either support or understanding from any politician and citizen in any country.

   We hope that Russian and world public will support this position of condemning terrorism.

 

24 October 2002