Namibia conveys sympathy on Beslan tragedy

NAMIBIA has joined other nations in condemning the killing of “innocent civilians”, especially children, in the Russian hostage crisis.

Government described the siege at a Russian school, which ended in bloodshed, as a “despicable criminal act” and called on the international community to do everything in its power to prevent a recurrence of similar deeds in the future. “Earlier attacks on civilian aircraft and the indiscriminate bombings in city areas are also condemned in the strongest possible terms.Such acts of terror can never be termed legitimate acts of war or protest,” Permanent Secretary of Information and Broadcasting, Mocks Shivute, said in a statement.Shivute said that President Sam Nujoma had sent a letter of condolences to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to express Namibia’s condolences over the “horrific deeds.”At least 335 hostages, including more than 150 children, were killed after a three-day siege at a school in Russia’s southern town of Beslan.About 400 other people have been injured and 200 are still missing.Children at the school had been celebrating the start of the new school year with parents and staff on Wednesday morning when they were taken hostage.”Earlier attacks on civilian aircraft and the indiscriminate bombings in city areas are also condemned in the strongest possible terms.Such acts of terror can never be termed legitimate acts of war or protest,” Permanent Secretary of Information and Broadcasting, Mocks Shivute, said in a statement.Shivute said that President Sam Nujoma had sent a letter of condolences to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to express Namibia’s condolences over the “horrific deeds.”At least 335 hostages, including more than 150 children, were killed after a three-day siege at a school in Russia’s southern town of Beslan.About 400 other people have been injured and 200 are still missing.Children at the school had been celebrating the start of the new school year with parents and staff on Wednesday morning when they were taken hostage.