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#18 - JRL 2008-94 - JRL Home
Russia's Security Council should take part in shaping strategic course -Medvedev

MOSCOW. May 13 (Interfax) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has tasked the Russian Security Council to work out measures to strengthen the Armed Forces, to fight corruption, terrorism and to guarantee international security.

The Security Council has broad powers and unique capabilities and in fact takes part in shaping the country's strategic course, Medvedev said presenting Nikolai Patrushev as new Security Council secretary.

"Its role is very important when interdepartmental coordination between various organizations and profound analytical jobs are required. I hope that the Russian Security Council will continue to work out comprehensive strategic decisions on a whole range of issues in its competence," Medvedev said.

"I wait for your decisions in the area of developing the scientific and technical and the defense and industrial potential of the country and leading industries, as well as the implementation of a number of large programs, for example the environmental program. I think that it would be right to pay the most serious attention to strengthening our armed forces and law enforcement agencies, improving the fight against crime, corruption, terrorism and extremism," Medvedev said.

"International cooperation is an important area in the Security Council's activity. It is one of the key areas in the activity of both the Security Council as an agency and its board. One should take into consideration Russia's responsibility in the area of maintaining global stability in the world. Probably, this is our most important task in the international arena," he said.