MOSCOW. May 13 (Interfax-AVN) - Akhmad Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen administration, has spoken of the need to alter the nature of the anti-terrorist operation in his republic.
"The horrible terrorist attack in Znamenskoye proved that security has not been fully guaranteed in Chechnya. Changes must be made in the anti-terrorist operation," he told Interfax on Tuesday.
He said that 52 people died and 193 were wounded in the explosion on Monday.
In his opinion, changes should be made in the command of the anti- terrorist drive.
"At present, three or four law enforcement agencies are responsible for security in the republic, and they don't always act in concert. One agency should be placed in charge of security in Chechnya. I believe the Chechen Interior Ministry should become this agency," he said.
Changes should also be made in the checkpoint system, Kadyrov said. "The roadblock operation should be more organized and effective, so that trucks can't drive around Chechnya filled with explosives," he said.
"In December a truck with explosives freely drove through and exploded outside the Chechen administration building in Grozny, and yesterday a truck with explosives freely entered Znamenskoye. Where will they go tomorrow?" Kadyrov asked.
He placed the responsibility for the explosion in Znamenskoye on Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov. "Maskhadov stands behind all these acts of terrorism. He has said many times he will kill people who cooperate with the federal authorities," he said.
Kadyrov spoke against talks with the separatists. "There can be no talks with Maskhadov," he said.
Asked whether the doctors helping the wounded in Znamenskoye have all of the necessary medicines, Kadyrov said: "The Chechen health minister talked to me about the situation. The doctors don't suffer from any shortages."