Victims of Beslan terror act tell Khloponin about drawbacks of inquiry

The impartial investigation into the Beslan terror act; an urgent examination of children and the law on the status of victims of terror acts - these were the main topics discussed at the meeting of the victims of the Beslan terror act with Alexander Khloponin, Plenipotentiary of Russian President in the North-Caucasian Federal District (NCFD).

As reported after the meeting by Susanna Dudieva, head of the Association of Victims of Terror Acts "Beslan Mothers", the discussion was held on the eve of the meeting with President Dmitry Medvedev and aimed at defining the range of problems faced by the victims and possible ways of solution.

"The most important issue of the discussion was the objective investigation into the Beslan tragedy. We said that all the problems that we had put before investigators during six years are the same and remain 'white spots' in the investigation. These are the questions of how terrorists managed to freely reach the school, why there were no negotiations with them, why fire was opened from tanks and flame throwers at the school with hostages inside, and why they started extinguishing the fire so late," said Susanna Dudieva.

The meeting held on March 24 in Vladikavkaz was attended by members of the Association of Victims of Terror Acts "Beslan Mothers" and the All-Russian Public Organization "Voice of Beslan". The talk with Plenipotentiary Khloponin lasted for three hours.

In Susanna's opinion, the second important topic was the need for urgent examination of all the injured children, "because in the seventh year after the terror act fragments come to the surface and are even life threatening."

Besides, the victims again spoke about the need to adopt the law on the status of victims of terror acts.

Ms Dudieva was satisfied with the meeting.

The member of the organization "Mothers of Beslan" Aneta Gadieva, who had also attended the meeting, told Khloponin that they had met officials at all levels and tried to convey to each of them, that if nothing changes in the country after the Beslan tragedy, it (the country) has no decent future.

"No lessons were learned from the Beslan tragedy; nobody is guilty; the system didn't change," explained A. Gadieva.

She also recalled that at a meeting with journalists in France Prime Minister Putin said "no" in response to a question whether he regretted that he had not started negotiations with terrorists.

"For us, the most important thing is an objective investigation into the terror act and the state's responsibility before its citizens, with answers to how to solve the problem of terrorism and how to conquer it," said Elvira Tuaeva, one of Beslan victims.

After the meeting Tuaeva concluded that in the near future the law on the status of victims of terror acts will not be adopted at the federal level. According to Mr Khloponin, it means very huge money; so far, victims of terror acts can be helped only on the one-time basis.

The date of the victims' meeting with Dmitry Medvedev is still unknown.