Russian President Vladimir Putin met Friday with relatives of children and adults killed in last year's school siege in Beslan. Many on the Beslan Mothers' Committee blame the government response to the terrorist attack for the large number of fatalities. More than 300 people were killed, 186 of them children. The BBC reported that after the meeting, Putin said the response will be completely investigated. The meeting itself was closed to the press. "I agree with those who believe that today the state is not in condition to provide for the security of its citizens to the necessary degree," he said. "At the same time, I agree with those who say that this is no excuse for officials' improper fulfillment of their duties." Putin was not invited to a memorial service Thursday in Beslan. Three days of memorials in the North Ossetian town are marking the three days of the siege. Some relatives are remaining in the ruined school gymnasium or in the town cemetery until Saturday afternoon the first anniversary of the date when the siege ended in a hail of gunfire. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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