MOSCOW, February 19, 2004. (RIA Novosti) - The State Duma, parliament's lower house, is determined for stronger control on law enforcement agencies. It will do so after next month's federal presidential election, says Lyubov Sliska, First Deputy Speaker. Such control "is a must-not on what they are doing but on what they are making a mess of," she snapped.
Recent tragedies in Moscow demand not only closer monitoring of the police and secret service but tougher penalties for terrorism. Yesterday's Duma decision to introduce life imprisonment for terrorists is merely an initial step, said Ms Sliska. Capital punishment is to come next: "We must take the life of those who take others' life. That is my deep conviction. We can't last long as we are living on a volcano. The Duma may raise the issue again next year. As to the Russian public, it is ready to accept the new way."
