The VC Editor-in-Chief answers readers’ questions

Alexei Vlasov talks on the explosions in the Moscow Metro and on the actions of the federal authorities in the North Caucasus

Vadim (Moscow): How do you interpret the terrorist attacks in Moscow? What lesson should the authorities learn from these events?

Alexei Vlasov: My own impression is that the explosions in the Moscow Metro were an attempt to shatter the situation in Russia, to engender
the psychological pressure, the sense of instability, which we had only 5 years ago. Just remember, the last major terrorist attack in the Moscow metro took place at Paveletskaya metro station in 2004. In the years since then, people regained a sense of stability and safety.
In my opinion, the two explosions in succession with half an hour between them, and then the explosions in Kizlyar, are an intentional attempt to destabilize the situation. I'm not a person who is very fond of criticizing the actions of the Russian intelligence services, because this is a useful tool for relieving the authorities, at all levels, of responsibility for blunders, for obscuring the problem of control in the metro, etc. There is a good proverb – that a Russian is wise after the event. It makes no difference that the leadership at all levels suddenly awoke and began to see clearly. Those killed cannot be raised from the dead. As for prevention of terrorist
attacks, some of these measures have already been listed. There is talk of toughening laws against accomplices of terrorists and of special accident control measures in the sphere of transport. However, as long as the powder keg smoulders in the Caucasus, no death penalty can solve the problem. The problem should be approached systematically. To break the sequence of terrorists’ actions against civilians, it is necessary to watch the situation in the North Caucasus more attentively. Because, in addition to the threat from thugs and gunmen-terrorists who, according to our premier’s suggestion, should be dragged from the bottom of the sewer, there is a whole complex of unresolved social and economic problems there. So, along with detecting and punishing those who organized all these terrorist attacks, whether it was one person or an organized group acting through coordinated effort, it is necessary to proceed to an actual, not a fictitious, resolution of the problems of the North Caucasus, which cannot just be reduced to the menace of terrorism coming from there.

Igor (Moscow): What can Khloponin do in this situation, will his function change, taking into account the tragic events in Moscow?

Alexei Vlasov: It is absolutely evident that the presidential representative in the North Caucasus has substantially less authority then the czar's governor-generals in the mid-19th century, during the Caucasian War era, for instance. It is necessary to adjust one’s actions to the actions of the heads of the North Caucasus republics. It will also be necessary to take actions in the interests of ministries and agencies. On the one hand, we should avoid sliding into “tough administration” (which will not lead to the desired effect in the North Caucasus), and on the other hand, we must avoid becoming a “lame duck” of the local politicians. A compromise should be reached between the interests of Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan, which do not always coincide in every point. Chechen officials have already started criticizing Khloponin, this is probably a test of strength. But the duties of the plenipotentiary representative cannot be reduced to forms of power struggle for “peace and stability”. His main tools are a skilful administration, distribution of resources and reducing unemployment. Such tasks cannot be solved in such a brief space of time. However, I admit that Kholponin will start being urged on – come on, give us results. The main emphasis in the new Caucasus policy should be placed on economic, social, financial, humanitarian and cultural means. The main task of the federal authorities in the Caucasus is to bring the region up to a level of development comparable to the level of development of the regions of Central Russia. The main thing is that development of Russia as a whole, as well as our tranquillity and safety, depends on solving this problem.