Russia’s power ministry heads rush for Chechnya. To complete anti-terrorist operation?

Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov, Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov, and Federal Security Service’s Director Nokolai Patrushev have left Moscow for Chechnya. They are planned to hold a meeting at the Khankala military base with the command of the federal contingent stationed on the North Caucasus. Besides, the power ministers are to have an inspection tour of the republic. Mr. Gryzlov will visit the Chechen capital Grozny. It looks like the counter-terrorist operation conducted in the republic by federal forces, after some respite, is entering a new stage, maybe, the final state. Over the last half year, high-ranking officials have not favoured the region with their attention. At the same time, federal forces have patently intensified their attacks on the rebels. Federal troop are consistently being withdrawn from the republic, the Kremlin-friendly Chechen administration is moving to Grozny. Rumour has it that the end of the counter-terrorist operation will be officially announced sometime in mid-May. Imposing law and order may be tough, and, maybe, the appropriate measures will have to be taken for a number of decades to come till the republic is disaccustomed to make war.