MOSCOW. April 21 (Interfax-AVN) - The command of the antiterrorist operation in Chechnya is to be transferred from the Federal Security Service (FSB) to the Interior Ministry this year, Deputy Russian Interior Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Interior Ministry Forces Vyacheslav Tikhomirov told Interfax on Monday.
"An instruction has been issued that the command of the antiterrorist operation in Chechnya be transferred to the Interior Ministry in the second half of 2003. Legal aspects of the transfer of the command of the operation in Chechnya to the Interior Ministry are being worked out at the moment," Tikhomirov said.
The Interior Ministry forces will not be reinforced because of the planned transfer, as the situation does not require this, Tikhomirov said. He recalled that the 46th prompt response brigade of the forces is permanently deployed in the republic.
The situation in Chechnya is gradually normalizing, although guerilla groups are still capable of committing acts of terrorism and subversion.
"By our estimations, there are more positive than negative aspects in the situation in Chechnya. But the situation still remains complicated on the whole, guerillas are trying to stage acts of terrorism, and federal security forces are currently concentrating on preventing a mine war," he said.
Deputy Interior Minister Vladimir Vasilyev in turn told Interfax that an amnesty, which is being planned in the republic, should significantly improve the situation in the Chechen law enforcement sphere.
"The amnesty is in large part aimed at improving the situation in the Chechen law enforcement sphere," Vasilyev said. "Instead of hiding in the mountains and caves, people would be able to return to normal peaceful life," he said.
"Quite a lot of people in Chechnya would be able to take a more active part in the political process, which is gaining speed. In this sense, an amnesty will bring about positive changes," he said.