lf the US or Israel had done this.....imagine the outcry. 

Chechen rebel leader Aslan Maskhadov was killed Tuesday by Russian security forces, authorities said, giving a boost to President Vladimir Putin (news — web sites)'s hard—line campaign to crush the separatist rebellion in Chechnya (news — web sites).

The 53—year—old Maskhadov, who had battled Russian troops in his North Caucasus homeland for more than a decade, was killed in a village just north of the regional capital Grozny, security chiefs said.

Russian television showed the gray—haired Maskhadov lying, bare—chested, on his back in a pool of blood, with his arms spread out on either side. There was what appeared to be a bullet mark in his left cheek.

The hastily called UN sessions.  Condemnations from the self righteous Europeans.  Anguished and angst ridden leftists in this country.  But it is just Russia against the Chechen Moslems who want independence from Russian occupation.  Yawn. 

Ethel C. Fenig   3 9 05