MOSCOW. Jan 17 (Interfax-AVN) - The counter-terrorism operation in Chechnya in 2004 was mostly focusing on law-enforcement, Colonel General Nikolai Rogozhkin, Russian Interior Ministry Forces commander-in-chief, said Monday during the summing-up meeting of the Combined Federal Forces in the North Caucasus.
"The forces managed to reach stability in the region, ensured safety of civil population and it would not be an exaggeration to say that last year turned the year when combat finished in Chechnya and the anti-terrorist operation focused mostly on law-enforcement," he said.
However, he said, some bandit networks and their leaders in disguise have not been terminated yet, especially those in mountainous districts of Chechnya, and they go on with their vicious antisocial activities.
"In 2005, it will be the priority mission of the Federal Forces in Chechnya to ensure normal operating conditions for legitimate administration," Rogozhkin emphasized.
The meeting was also attended by Lieutenant General Arkady Yedelev, deputy interior minister and head of the regional operative headquarters supervising the anti-terrorist operation in the North Caucasus, Lieutenant General Vyacheslav Dadonov, Combined Federal Forces commander, Lieutenant General Grigory Fomenko, military commandant of Chechnya, officials of Chechnya's Interior Ministry and military commandant's offices, and leaders of units.