MOSCOW. Aug 26 (Interfax) - The Finance Ministry has earmarked over two billion rubles ($68.47 million) for a new anti- terrorism program in the draft federal budget for 2005, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin told journalists on Thursday.
In addition, next year's budget envisions funds for anti- terrorism measures in public places, including the metro, he said. "This money has been earmarked in the budget for next year," the minister said.
He added that Russia is observing a day of mourning today for the victims of Tuesday's air crashes.
Kudrin expressed skepticism over the advisability of setting up a unified aviation company in Russia following the recent tragedy.
"I think that security issues have nothing to do with the number of airlines. This is an absolutely different matter," he said.
The fact that such a company would become a monopoly on the Russian air transportation market is another argument against the idea, he said. "All countries are now in the process of abandoning this policy. This policy does not meet the principles of pragmatism and strengthening market competition," Kudrin said.
The minister suggested that non-state-owned airlines should have to ensure the safety of their passengers themselves, while law enforcement agencies will undoubtedly help them detect any dangerous situations.