[lbo-talk] Basaev

[Jim Devine]

>There are several reasons why Russian authorities are so angry at the
interview with Basaev. First of all, the Chechen rebel commander
called himself a "terrorist," but at the same time he explained
convincingly that the Russian side was also responsible for the
violence and the wave of terror in the Caucasus and Central Russia.<

This is almost a miracle, that someone admits that he's a "terrorist."
These days, people don't do that. "I'm a freedom fighter; you're a
guerilla; he's a terrorist" is the standard semantic triad. Whatever
else, Basaev is honest on this matter, which is refreshing.

It's also good that he stressed that the state also engages in
terrorism. In the dominant US mind-set,  states don't engage in (or
promote) terrorism if they are allied with the US. The US government
itself would never do so! "Shock and awe" (remember that?) wasn't
supposed to terrorize anyone!
JD