Bombing at Russian hospital

A bomb detonated in front of a hospital -- war can hardly be more atrocious.

The international rules of law prohibit attacks on hospitals, be they civilian or military. But such rules, which are meant to civilize the opponent somewhat, aren't valid in the war in Chechnya. ...

The war in the Caucasus has reached a new level.

The mass hostage-taking in a musical theater, the suicide attacks at a rock festival, the bomb outside a military hospital -- in this dirty war, there is no distinction between soldiers and civilians, between participants and nonparticipants, between culprits and victims.

A guerrilla war has become a total war that can affect anyone any time and anywhere -- in Chechnya, but also elsewhere in Russia.

By holding elections in the war-torn republic, Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to show that he has found a political solution to the conflict. But since he announced the autumn date for the voting, the number of terrorist attacks has risen. ...

The way things look, Putin's 'political solution' is going to be sullied with the blood of plenty more innocent people.

Perhaps one of his many political friends worldwide should ask the Kremlin boss why he doesn't seek a real solution rather than betting on an election in a state of war and terror.

-- Suddeutsche Zeitung, Munich, Germany