Today, Russia mourns the victims of the inhuman terrorist attack in Beslan. It is a terrible tragedy and emotional blow to every Russian citizen, and has evoked a wave of sympathy from around the world (which in this case, regrettably, did not include Taiwan). Of course, what is a tragedy to Russia is a joy to terrorists and their sympathizers. For the author of your editorial ("Address root causes of terrorism," Sept. 5, page 8) about this episode, as he or she calls the death of 335 people, nearly half of them children, is a good occasion to throw some mud at Russia, as well as to arrogantly judge it and provide unsolicited advice.
This article creates the impression that, although the terrorists are wrong, the Russian government should ultimately be held responsible for the tragedy, or at least share some responsibility with the terrorists. I wonder if the author uses the same logic to describe other terrorist attacks, like on Sept. 11, 2001, or if Russia is a special case conveniently providing the opportunity for an exercise in hypocrisy and double standards.
There is indeed no good solution to a situation in which 1,500 people, including many children, are taken hostage by brutal terrorists, who can not be called human, who do not even have any demands and who just want to provoke bloodshed. And to those who watched live coverage it should be absolutely clear who opened fire and why the siege began. I am unaware of any group "demanding an explanation from the Russian government," as the editorial claims. Leaders and citizens of many countries, as well as the UN, EU, NATO and other organizations, have expressed their sympathy, as well as their condemnation of terrorism.
So, some people wonder why Russia cannot just leave Chechnya alone. Well, we have tried that already. Chechnya was de facto independent from Russia from 1996 to 1999. This resulted in Chechnya becoming a bandit republic of the dark medieval kind. Just one example: at the time, there were slave markets openly operating in Grozny and other cities. Curiously, at that time we did not hear reprimands addressed to Chechen rulers from those human rights crusaders who are now accusing Russia with gusto. They were busy with some other problems, like Kosovo, saving their ammunition for bigger targets than some slave masters in Chechnya.
Finally, in 1999, Chechen bandits tried to invade the bordering republic of Dagestan to establish their caliphate. They blew up several apartment houses in Moscow and other Russian cities, killing hundreds of innocent people. That finally triggered the Russian response.
Russia is trying to restore normal life in the republic, to restore the rule of law, democracy and human rights. It is a difficult process, interrupted by frequent terrorist attacks. If Russia leaves the northern Caucasus, this region will become a kingdom of terror that would make Afghanistan under the Taliban seem like Switzerland. So, our war with terrorism should mobilize help and support from the international community. That is generally what is happening.
Even if Russia wants to start negotiation with so-called "rebels," who should we talk to? Famous terrorist and murderer Shamil Basayev? "President" Aslan Maskhadov, under whose rule Chechnya became the hotbed for international terrorism and religious extremism and who controls nothing and decides nothing?
Terrorists want to break the spirit of my nation and make it surrender. Those who read history textbooks know that Russia does not surrender.
George Zinoviev
Deputy representative,
Russian Representative Office, Taipei
The government and local industries breathed a sigh of relief after Shin Kong Life Insurance Co last week said it would relinquish surface rights for two plots in Taipei’s Beitou District (北投) to Nvidia Corp. The US chip-design giant’s plan to expand its local presence will be crucial for Taiwan to safeguard its core role in the global artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem and to advance the nation’s AI development. The land in dispute is owned by the Taipei City Government, which in 2021 sold the rights to develop and use the two plots of land, codenamed T17 and T18, to the
The US Senate’s passage of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which urges Taiwan’s inclusion in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise and allocates US$1 billion in military aid, marks yet another milestone in Washington’s growing support for Taipei. On paper, it reflects the steadiness of US commitment, but beneath this show of solidarity lies contradiction. While the US Congress builds a stable, bipartisan architecture of deterrence, US President Donald Trump repeatedly undercuts it through erratic decisions and transactional diplomacy. This dissonance not only weakens the US’ credibility abroad — it also fractures public trust within Taiwan. For decades,
Taiwan’s first case of African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed on Tuesday evening at a hog farm in Taichung’s Wuci District (梧棲), trigging nationwide emergency measures and stripping Taiwan of its status as the only Asian country free of classical swine fever, ASF and foot-and-mouth disease, a certification it received on May 29. The government on Wednesday set up a Central Emergency Operations Center in Taichung and instituted an immediate five-day ban on transporting and slaughtering hogs, and on feeding pigs kitchen waste. The ban was later extended to 15 days, to account for the incubation period of the virus
The ceasefire in the Middle East is a rare cause for celebration in that war-torn region. Hamas has released all of the living hostages it captured on Oct. 7, 2023, regular combat operations have ceased, and Israel has drawn closer to its Arab neighbors. Israel, with crucial support from the United States, has achieved all of this despite concerted efforts from the forces of darkness to prevent it. Hamas, of course, is a longtime client of Iran, which in turn is a client of China. Two years ago, when Hamas invaded Israel — killing 1,200, kidnapping 251, and brutalizing countless others
RSS