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PUTIN SUGGESTS A LARGE-SCALE POLITICAL REFORM

MOSCOW, September 13 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin addressed the Monday session of the government with the guidelines for a large-scale political reform within the framework of stepping up the struggle against terrorism.

"Our meeting in this unusual format is due to special circumstances that have affected the whole of the country and the rest of the world. Each and all Russian families and citizen suffer the pain of the Ossetian people as their own," said the head of state.

"In this situation, the system of state power should not only adjust to the Beslan tragedy but also prevent a repetition of such a crisis," he explained. In his opinion, a comprehensive system of executive power is a vital factor of strengthening the state. He believes that the bodies of federal authority and the authorities of Federation members should form "a comprehensive co-ordinated system... We must admit that we have not created such a system so far."

Vladimir Putin thinks that the Federation and its subject should join forces to form executive authorities in territorial formations in order to ensure the unity of the state and power. High regional officials should be elected by legislative authorities upon the recommendation of the head of state.

A draft law to this effect, which Putin asked the government to prepare jointly with regional representatives, will be forwarded to the State Duma.

Ensuring the unity of the state and strengthening state structures and public trust for the power are the priority tasks now, said the president. He called for introducing a proportionate system of elections and promised to submit a draft law to this effect. "I think we should introduce a proportionate system of elections to the parliament and will submit a draft law to this effect soon," he said.

The unity of the power vertical is vital for an effective struggle against terrorism. "The struggle against terrorism is a national task that calls for mobilising all resources," he said. "It is clear that the unity of the power vertical must be ensured without question."

Vladimir Putin views the unity of the state and the strengthening of state structures and public trust for the authorities as vital tasks. "Unity is the main condition for ensuring the safety of citizens and the country," said the president at the enlarged session of the government. "In their far-reaching plans, the terrorists, their ideologists and accomplices tried to disintegrate the country and provoke a split of the state," he said.

Putin suggested creating a public chamber to control the work of the state mechanism, including law enforcement and security structures. "I view as productive the idea of creating a public chamber as a place for broad discussions of civil initiatives," the president said.

The chamber should examine laws of national importance. "The point at issue is to ensure civilian control of the work of the authorities, including law enforcement and security structures," he said.

Vladimir Putin called for supporting the initiative of the public on organising volunteer public order structures. "I deem it necessary to support the initiative of the citizens on organising a volunteer public order structures ," he said. Besides, public organisations should help to explain the actions of the authorities.