Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

After the Russian school crisis the world got a refresher course into how low Bush is willing to sink. Bush in backing the Chechens has made one of his bigger mistakes which may go a long way in cementing an alliance between Russia and China.

It is difficult to get a fix on the Chinese who are masters of understatement. Following are some remarks pertaining to the situation.

Hu reiterated that China firmly supports Russia's efforts to maintain national unity and territorial integrity, and to protect people's life and property.
http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-09/08/content_1959180.htm

China is prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder with Russia in the fight against terrorism.

For China this seems a strong reaction and rather cryptic.

To me the ‘shoulder to shoulder’ remark readily invokes an image of Russian and Chinese troops standing side by side as one army.

Could be China’s way of saying back off Bush.
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China has contacts with Russia among its top political priorities. The two countries are supporting each other on essential matters that concern either's sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Mr. Hu.
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I take this to mean that if the sovereignty and territorial integrity of either Russia or China is threatened the other comes to the rescue.

-Am


President Hu condemns terrorism in Russia's hostage crisis

www.chinaview.cn 2004-09-08 21:40:25

BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao sent amessage Wednesday to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin strongly condemning last week's "atrocious terrorist acts" in the hostage-taking crisis in southern Russia.

In the message, conveyed by Chinese Ambassador to Russia Liu Guchang, Hu also expressed his deep condolences over the killing of innocent adults and children in the tragedy and offered his sincere sympathies to relatives of the victims.

To show China's sympathy and support, the Chinese government ismaking available goods worth 10 million yuan (1.2 million US dollars) to assist those affected by the tragedy, he added.

Hu reiterated that China firmly supports Russia's efforts to maintain national unity and territorial integrity, and to protect people's life and property.

The president also expressed China's willingness to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the fight against terrorism, separatismand extremism to safeguard peace, safety and stability in the region and the world as a whole.

Hu said he believed that under the leadership of President Putin, the Russian people will overcome any obstacle to rejuvenatethe nation and achieve prosperity.

Some 30 heavily-armed terrorists seized a school in Russia's southern republic of North Ossetia last Wednesday, holding about 1,000 children and adults hostage for over 51 hours.

The crisis ended in a chaotic climax when terrorists set off explosives and the security forces moved in to seize the gymnasiumof the school held by the terrorists.

Scared children, most of them wounded and half naked, dodged the bullets and fled the school building. At least 350 dead and hundreds wounded. Enditem


http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-09/08/content_1959180.htm