Medvedev pledges tougher measures on violence
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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made a surprise visit Thursday to the restive North Caucasus republic of Dagestan promising a tough response to recent terrorist attacks emanating from the region.
The president, who arrived at the regional capital of Makhachkala by helicopter, chaired a meeting of the heads of North Caucasian republics and territorial units of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Interior Ministry.
Medvedev, who vowed that "(terrorists) must be punished," told the conference he wanted broader counter terrorism measures that were also "more efficient and tougher."
"We have twisted the heads off the most hateful bandits. But this is not enough, by all accounts. Anyway, we will track down and punish all of them. This is the only way we will act," said Medvedev, referring to recent operations conducted in the region that eliminated several militant leaders.
The Russian head of state also listed five main points for the fight against terrorism in the North Caucasus region, following recent consecutive bomb attacks in Moscow and the Dagestani town of Kizlyar that have claimed more than 50 lives in total.
"These measures include the strengthening of law enforcement agencies, the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service and the courts," Medvedev was quoted as saying by news agencies.
"We must deliver pinpoint, lightning strikes against terrorists, kill them and destroy their hideouts. We must help those who decided to leave the terrorists' ranks. We must develop the economy, education, culture. We must strengthen the moral and spiritual aspects," he said.
"Only if we put all these components together will we succeed," he said.
The visit by Medvedev, accompanied by FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov and Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev, came a day after 12 people, including nine police officers, were killed in two blasts in the Dagestani town of Kizlyar.
On Monday, two female suicide bombers killed 39 in attacks on the Moscow subway system, which the authorities have linked to militants from the North Caucasus.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Wednesday it was possible the same group was behind both attacks.
Bortnikov told Thursday's conference the masterminds behind both blasts had been identified and were being sought.
"The theory that the terrorist attacks were committed by particular gangs connected with the North Caucasus has been confirmed. We personally know the masterminds of the terrorist attacks. A search operation is being conducted," Bortnikov said.
The FSB chief also said an unspecified number of people had been detained and were being interrogated.
"We will not stop and will bring this job to an end, whatever this costs us," Bortnikov said.
Earlier on Thursday, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Prosecutor General's Office announced the establishment of a permanent terrorism investigative group in Dagestan, combining staff from the Investigative Committee, the Interior Ministry and the FSB.
Russia's North Caucasus republics, particularly Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, have been plagued by violence, particularly against law enforcement officers, which local rebels see as representing the Russian authorities.
A Chechen militant group led by Doku Umarov, the self-proclaimed emir of the North Caucasus, has claimed responsibility for Monday's twin bombing attacks via an online video clip. The claim has so far not been officially confirmed.
Umarov, sought for alleged terrorism, kidnapping, murder and treason, said the blasts were revenge for the killing of civilians by Russian security forces.
Pinpointing economic backwardness, rampant militant violence and clan rivalry in the region as vital security threats to Russia, Medvedev insisted the inclusion of improving socioeconomic situation as well as emphasis on moral values were one of the keys in fighting surging terrorism.
He said major enterprises must assist socioeconomic normalization in the region, as "everyone who cares about the future of this country and has money must do that."
"They (major enterprises) must pay their dues here," he said.
Medvedev in January decided to establish the eighth Federal District of Russia in North Caucasus, with Alexander Khloponin, former governor of the Krasnoyarsk region, appointed as deputy prime minister and his special envoy to the turbulent region.
Also at the conference, Medvedev voiced hope that Khloponin could make "new proposals on programs, funding, clusters and new jobs."
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