Beslan: Mandela shocked
2004-09-04 11:49
Johannesburg - Nelson Mandela on Saturday expressed his shock at the "inhumane and barbaric" act of terrorism that left 250 people dead at a school in Beslan, Russia this week.
Calling it a tragedy, he said: "In no way can the victimisation and killing of innocent children be justified in any circumstances, and especially not for political reasons.
"Our thoughts are with the Russian people," the former South African president said in a statement.
An estimated 250 people, including many children, were killed during a three day hostage crisis at the school on the Chechnyan border.
Bloodbath
The siege ended in scenes of horror with half-naked, bloodied children fleeing from the school and the mutilated bodies of the dead rushed out on stretchers.
The hostages were held without food or water by armed militants demanding independence for Chechnya.
Call for peaceful means
Issues of this nature could only be resolved and setted by peaceful means, Mandela said.
Mandela and the Nelson Mandela Foundation extended their condolances to the families who lost loved ones in the tragedy.
"We call on the world and in particular on all peace loving pepople to condemn this act of terrorism in the strongest terms."
The Congress of South Trade Unions also condemned the Russian terror, saying the union federation "deplores and condemns the massacre of school children in Russia.
"There can be no possible justification for such a deed, which has ended in such a tragedy.
"COSATU sends condolences to the people of Russia, especially all those who have lost their loved ones, and best wishes to the injured."
- SAPA