The Yabloko Association considers it necessary to increase considerably financing for the border guards services of Russia. Such a statement was issued by deputy of the State Duma from Yabloko Alexander Shishlov at a press conference in St. Petersburg on October 5, 2001.

He also noted that this issue has become particularly urgent in view of the impending retaliatory actions of the US in Afghanistan, when Russia should pay more attention to security at its southern borders.

In connection with this fact stressed Shishlov, the Yabloko faction had already made amendments to the federal budget of Russia for 2002, which envisage allotting significant amounts to a reinforcement of the border guard regime in general.

Shishlov also thinks that in terms of ensuring security at our southern borders, "it is not enough to introduce only a visa regime with the states of Central Asia". This requires a package of measures to consolidate the borders, including a change in the procedure and level for financing border guard detachments.

Additional funds, according to Shishlov, will also be required for serious technical retooling of border guard detachments and full material and technical provisions for them.

Based on Interfax reports.

See also:

Acts of Terror in the US