Russia crisis: Use of force ruled out

The gunmen, who threatened to blow up the school in North Ossetia in the turbulent Caucasus region, freed 26 children and women from among at least 350 hostages.

Reuters TV producer Olga Petrova witnessed the release of infants and women, driven off in a car along with the former leader of neighbouring Ingushetia, Ruslan Aushev, who mediated with the hostage-takers. ‘‘It’s all over, you’re okay,’’ a burly soldier in fatigues, automatic gun slung over his shoulder, whispered as he carried a wailing child of about three months past an armoured vehicle. He took a seat in Aushev’s car. Two other small children were also placed inside, one of them naked and crying.

‘‘Twenty-six people have now been freed, children and women,’’ North Ossetian spokesman Lev Dzugayev said.

At least seven people died when the gunmen stormed the school. The International Red Cross, quoting their Russian colleagues, said up to 16 may have died.

Paediatrician Leonid Roshal, also taking part in telephone talks with the attackers, described the hostage release as a ‘‘big victory’’. ‘‘But if you look at the broader picture, it is a drop in the ocean. There is plenty of work ahead,’’ Roshal said. The gunmen, he said, were still refusing requests to allow food and water into the school. He said an unsuccessful end to the crisis could produce ‘‘a war between fraternal peoples. I appeal to the wisdom of the Ingush, Ossetian and Chechen peoples to avoid a war. Otherwise thousands of lives will be lost’’.

The attackers have demanded the release of rebel fighters captured in neighbouring Ingushetia in June. Putin, facing one of the hardest choices in 4-1/2 years in the Kremlin, said authorities were focusing on saving lives.

‘‘Our main task is to save the life and health of those who have ended up as hostages,’’ Putin told Jordan’s King Abdullah in the Kremlin.

Valery Andreyev, head of Russia’s FSB in North Ossetia province, said: ‘‘There is no question at the moment of opting for force. There will be a lengthy and tense process of negotiation.’’

Relatives maintained a vigil near the school, pleading with authorities to keep security forces from storming the building. ‘‘It is not possible to storm the building. They will blow up the children,’’ said Luda, her son among those held. ‘‘These children are not to blame if bandits come here. It’s the authorities who are to blame. They can’t restore order or guard the borders,’’ said Ruslan Tivitov, 27.

Putin must decide whether to risk a slaughter by following past practice of using troops to end such sieges, or break a long-held vow not to negotiate with terrorists. He made a similar commitment to do all he could to save hostages in a 2002 Moscow theatre siege. When troops stormed the building, 129 hostages and 41 guerrillas were killed. —(Reuters)