The Chechens who took 700 hostages were not islamists and Chechens are not as deeply committed to religion as in Arab countries.
Half of the rebel-terrorists were women; fundamentalists don't use women in action as it's totally contrary to their religious concept.
That's why the Al Qaeda connection argument is not very strong.
Besides, they hear what's going on in other parts of the world and could get inspired by it. There is no real need to link them with islamists. But, this might change if they feel more oppressed than ever.
Apparently Russian and foreign journalists are forbidden in Chechnia, or carefully selected. So, journalists must find tricks to get there anyway. The Chechens want journalists to report what's going on.

Raoul