HOSTAGES RESCUED IN DAGESTAN.

The special "Alfa" anti-terrorist unit, assisted by MVD troops, rescued the 18 hostages taken on September 20, when their bus was hijacked in Dagestan’s capital Makhachkala. The special units managed to save the hostages with no losses and to capture the two terrorists. Several passengers were slightly wounded. (7) Although the hijackers made no political demands, the terrorist act in Dagestan, which abuts on Chechnya, increased the tension in the region. Last year, the war in Chechnya was preceded by several incidents in which terrorists captured buses with their passengers.

Ukraine Protects Pipelines from Russian Acquisition.