The Yabloko party thinks that the "leadership of the country bears political responsibility for the explosion at Pushkin Square".

Deputy of the State Duma from Yabloko, Alexei Melnikov, made this statement in an interview with an ITAR-TASS correspondent. To avoid further explosions, an investigation must be held as soon as possible and the culprits for this terrible crime must be brought to court, added Melnikov. He also recollected that none of the cases related to the explosions of blocks of flats in Moscow had been brought to court so far. "The impunity of the terrorists encourages them to become aggressive***," noted Melnikov.

Yabloko does not believe that a state of emergency should be introduced in Moscow and other cities. Melnikov is sure that the "law-enforcement agencies have other appropriate methods at their disposal and that they must be used".

According to Melnikov, the Yabloko faction in the State Duma has drafted its proposals for the budget-2001 on an increase in expenditures on anti-terrorist measures and compensation for the families of the dead.

In addition at the opening of the new session of the Duma the faction will insist on a report by the government into progress with the investigation on the terrorist acts in Moscow. Yabloko expresses its condolence to the relatives of those killed due to the explosion at Pushkin Square.