The recent suicide bombings and hostage-taking indicate that stabilization in Chechnya goes against the grain of those who seek to undermine the peace process there, Mr Lavrov told a Moscow press conference Wednesday. He pointed out that last weekend's presidential polls in the Chechen republic had evidenced that stabilization was indeed underway.
The presidential election, held with a high voter turnout, was recognized as free and fair by foreign governments and international observers alike,
he said.
According to Lavrov, the recent outbreak of terrorist activity also attests to progress in restoring peace and stability to the Chechen republic. Local and international terrorists do not want Chechnya to become stable, and are doing their best to frustrate the process, the minister pointed out. This is why "the anti-terrorist aspect plays a big role in our foreign policy," he added.
