Novaya Gaz., No. 35, 20-26.09.99

Excerpts and Commentary

• "...in the critical ability to reason and not just swallow information, but also to digest it."
• "— And how do you evaluate the authorities' calls for total vigilance?"
• Vladlen MAKSIMOV: "...[if they] go, then the losses will be more large-scale. And that means—one must not give in to fear today especially. As cliché as it sounds."

By Blowing Up Houses, Bandits Blow Up the State

Speech by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in the State Duma on September 14
(From the transcript published in Rossiyskaya Gazeta)

We were supposed to talk about the situation in Dagestan. But I think you will agree: now, after the new terrorist attacks in Moscow, the issue is much broader. We are talking about the state security of the country.

It is obvious to us—both in Dagestan and in Moscow—that we are dealing not with amateur militants, but with well-trained international saboteurs. Their goal is to demoralize the authorities, to shake the foundations of the state...

Today, the safety of the population in Russia's large cities is becoming a major problem. Moscow is in first place among them. It must be admitted that the problem of the safety of Muscovites arose long before the explosion on Manezhnaya Square. But we still do not know the names of the organizers of the terrorist attacks in the Moscow metro and the prevented attacks near the buildings of federal security agencies. To a large extent, the blame lies with regional and local authorities.

But we cannot blame everything only on their negligence and indecision. Federal leaders are personally responsible for order not only in their own departments, but also in the territorial structures subordinate to them. Today, it is required to effectively restore the unconditional direct subordination of regional units of security agencies to their federal centers.

By blowing up the houses of our fellow citizens, the bandits are blowing up the state. They are undermining authority—not presidential, not city, not Duma authority. But authority in the country as such.

Honorable deputies!

It is time to frankly admit: the contagion of terrorism has long since crossed the administrative borders of krais and oblasts. It has become a national problem for Russia. Therefore, we will act step by step.

Action Plan

1. Task number 1. Protection of the population from bandits. Their identification, suppression, and bringing to justice. Organization of necessary measures to ensure the personal safety of citizens.
2. Task number 2. Finding and preventing hotspots of conflict. Elimination of the terrorist training bases themselves, depriving them of financial sources and personnel replenishment both from within Russia and from abroad.
3. Task number 3. Treating the "virus of war" in the North Caucasus by applying a whole range of measures to stabilize the socio-economic and political situation in the region.

Another source of problems is that the true scale of the threat was not correctly and timely assessed. In my view, the Ministry of Nationalities and other relevant agencies did not show proper persistence and consistency in this direction.

And finally, a special place in solving North Caucasian problems is given to the settlement of the situation in Chechnya.

Conclusion on page 3

RUSSIANS DO NOT BELIEVE IN RUSSIA

How the regions view the Moscow bombings

According to data from the Agency for Regional Political Research:

• 85 percent of Russians know about the bombings in Moscow, with the highest awareness among residents of the North Caucasus—likely because they have already grown accustomed to expecting "retribution" even without any reason.
• Those in complete ignorance (12 percent) live mainly in villages.

Blame Allocation in the Terrorist Attack

Note: The distribution of blame is described as being "very similar to a childhood fear embodied in a mythical image."

Perception of Security Control

• 43 percent of respondents are sure that the security ministries do not control the situation in Dagestan.
  • This opinion is held more often by residents of the north and northwest of Russia, and, for some reason, by supporters of Zhirinovsky and Lebed.
  • Ural residents and the NDR (Our Home is Russia) electorate are more optimistic (34 percent), believing the situation is under control.
  • Pensioners and the unemployed find it more difficult than others to answer this question.

Belief in Militant Support

• 67 percent of Russians are convinced that groups exist within Russia that support and finance the militants in every way.
• 21 percent of citizens are stumped by this question; they no longer know what to think.
• Only 12 percent resolutely reject such suggestions.

Information Department

[Sidebar]

• Yuri Luzhkov's declaration of a hunt for "persons of Caucasian nationality" led to Islamic centers increasingly becoming targets of attacks and turning to law enforcement for help.
• A German newspaper reported that for law enforcement, the hunt for terrorists and the tightening of the passport regime are primarily a new excuse to make some illegal money on the side.
• In an interview with the Associated Press, Islamic militant commander Khattab promised to plant bombs all over Russia. This conversation took place in Chechnya, between the two apartment building bombings in Moscow.
  • Khattab, considered the organizer of a series of terrorist acts in Russia, stated then: "From now on we will fight not only against Russian planes and tanks. From now on, Russians will have bombs everywhere. Let Russia prepare for explosions in its cities."
• However, on Tuesday, the day after the explosion on Kashirskoye Highway, he told the Interfax agency the exact opposite. According to him, he has nothing to do with the four explosions in Russia. "We do not want to be likened to those who kill sleeping peaceful people with bombs and shells," he stated.
• Shamil Basaev also completely denies his involvement in the bombings.