It is a hard one. If the Moscow authorities give in immediately it will save the lives of all the hostages. It will save the lives of the hostage takers. (Before I get my ass flamed - no - that's not my priority either!) It will save the lives of security staff. It will save the lives of Russian soldiers in Chechnya and it will save the lives of Chechenyan citizens and guerillas alike. It will also put everyone everywhere at greater risk of being taken hostage. Nobody agrees with the method. Many of us agree with their objectives. Why can't there be some easier ways out of these dilemnas?