Yesterday, on yet another occassion we witnessed the fact of mass murder of innocent civilian people by another human-being. The event entered the headlines and anali as "the terrorist attacks at Domodeovo airport in Moscow, Russia that until this hour has counted 35 casualties and further 100 injuries and critical cases". The bomb empowered with 10kg TNT, rage and revenge exploded at the International Arrivals. It is the latter that begged the immediate reaction of all international political administrations, media centers and bloggers. International - a really powerful word that is.
A brief look over the span of the international reactions is enough to understand the moods and shades surrounding this tragic event. Some voices relate to the causes of the violence, others critise the reaction if the Russian authorities, thirds think ahead towards increasing security measures. All these points deserve a comment (yes, here it goes........), that will result in some food for thought.
About Giving Up
'Naturally, the rage was caused by the state of war in Chechnya and the Northern Caucasus region', after all - if Chechnya wants independency, then Russia should just let it be, and the violations would cease. The event is yet another confirmation of the fact that the Russian army should end the military conflict, after all the G-7 has long ago stated its undoubted opinion on the matter. One could choose to agree or disagree with this opinion: the one about the independency of regions with ethnical majorities and historic borders (Kosovo, anyone? or the Basques?). As a matter of fact, this question will always be a part of the history of international relations. I will not take a side. Publicly, that is.
The question to challenge then would be the whole giving-in-to-terror. If the society gives up now and goes along with the demands of the violent groups, what will the future be? Yes, a future with many lives spared, but also a future of fear that the next time somebody-somewhere-has-some-demands-towards-something, then we risk repeating the previous "successful measures" undertaken by demanding groups. Well, yes, it is easy for me to say - after all, people, who had their life touched by the attacks (should) think differently. But for the rest of us (tfu, tfu) - the question remains open as to whether we are able to take this risk and turn around the world of dimplomacy and negotiation to something more human-like.
About Reacting Adequately
Rumor has it, that the public found out about the attacks from Tweeter (I believe Ilya - the first-hand mini-blogger-turned-reporter is on his road to fame and glory) almost immediately. Footage and photos to confirm. And there it went: blaming the authorities for keeping quiet, blocking the mobile phone connection at the airport, not being able to properly count affected people, and generally being awfully factless about what really is happening.
I am always to be heard in protection of full disclosure and freedom of speech and press. But everything has its limits (and this is why I am not a mega-throw-your-bra-on-stage fan of WikiLeaks). After all, security measures stand behind this quet reaction - and the fear of disclosing too much to organisers and violators out there prevails when decisions are made in the emergency reaction briefings.
Unfortunately, the public can hardly be blamed about questioning authorities' motives. It will not be the first time that the Russian government officials withhold information simply because it feels 'uncomfortable'. After all - it turned out to be a trust issue.
Conclusions should be made towards building a successful communication with your stakeholders (Business 101, duh), and I am sure that in the future we will all find out why Sobyanin didn't close Domodedovo airport immediately, and why Medvedyev is not making it to the WEF at Davos (of super-huge importance to the future of Russian aerospace defense) despite 'everything being under control'.
About What to Do in the Future
In only a few days we will start reading about the post-event reactions regarding increasing security measures, introducing searches and metal detectors. We will witness a few protests against violating human freedom and privacy. We will mourn and swear to predict/prevent the tragedies in the future. Unfortunately, we will not be successful in absolutely everything. Fortunately, the life goes on, and while this happens there is Hope.
While following the RT live coverage of the attacks, I couldn't help but laugh at the press-conference and the announcements given by Medvedyev and the Administration. The words "The President ordered that the Health and Emergency Situations Ministries provide all necessary help to the victims of the attack", and "I [President] will personally make sure that the terrorists are identified, captured and punished" made me reconfirm my suspicions that the Russian Presidency has a mental disorder associated with God-like complex.
So, before the PR, the Aid was not working on 100%? And the Federal Security Bureau was having coffee and pancakes at work? I just could not get it...
And then this morning it hit me. It really is all about the Hope for the Future
Having spent the majority of my conscious life in Russia, I could never understand why we have no idea if the President is married, what his children look like, and his regular Thursday is meeting the Head of the Army on National TV, and bang on the table about underdelivering. Because he is supposed to be God-like: this invincible strong man, to guide, lead and protect. And it comes as no surprise that the Russian Presidency is often elected with over 90% support, and that the media supports this mystery aura and stays away from the private life of the Great.
And just like a Prophet, Medvedyev led his administration and his people through the first hours with the firm promise: I will take care. And this is why while the international criticism continues, the 140 million Russians will voluntarily give up their human rights in order to "be protected by their Strong Man".
About the Wisdom of It All
Maybe we should borrow some of this Hope, and get back on track on building and protecting our Happy Place. Living in fear of tomorrow is really not going to help much, breathing though will help a lot. People are actually stronger than they think they are - both physicially and emotionally. And the best thing to do now is to pray and comfort, yet not stop our progress and Hope for the Future.
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