Beslan Tries to Cope, 2 Years On.

(From The Moscow Times)

BESLAN, North Ossetia -- School No. 1 stands in ruins. People still come from around the world to place fresh flowers and bottles and jars full of water on the school grounds.

Two years ago Friday, terrorists seized School No. 1 and held more than 1,100 children, parents and grandparents hostage for three days in sweltering heat. Deprived of food and water, the hostages were reduced to chewing on leaves and sucking wet rags for moisture.

On the third day of the crisis, federal troops stormed the school in a hail of gunfire -- the school was destroyed by explosions and fire. To date, 332 people have died as a result of the siege.

As Beslan prepares to remember its dead, survivors of the terrorist attack and relatives of the victims traveled to Moscow to castigate authorities for what they consider a sham investigation into the events of Sept. 1-3, 2004, The Associated Press reported.

"We have absolutely no faith in the authorities," activist Lyudmila Pliyeva said Wednesday. "They are not letting us find out the truth. Why did our children burn to death? Why did they get shot? Why were no negotiations held?"

Not all residents of Beslan are eager to uncover the truth, however. Many have returned to their normal routines. Their children attend new schools. And they are trying to forget what happened two years ago. Many children, in particular, are trying to erase the terrifying memories.