Russia's recent consolidation of its internal security forces gives the government a stronger weapon in its fight against extremism and organized crime, but the move could also benefit those in power as they try to keep their political rivals at bay.
Russian President Boris Yeltsin merged two Federal Security Service (FSB) departments, the anti-terrorism and constitutional security departments, into one on August 28. The new department will also include a third division, whose mission has not been disclosed. The FSB is the successor of the internal departments of the former Soviet KGB.
With the merger of these two departments less than four months before the Duma election, the Russian president and government have created a powerful instrument for dealing with political extremism and the possible penetration of criminal elements in the country's political system. In its new form, however, the FSB could easily be used by the current leadership to pacify and even eliminate political opponents.
The merger was implemented "in accordance with Russia's state defense and security doctrine for the next six years," the FSB said in an August 31 statement. "In current conditions, defending the constitutional structure, preserving the country's integrity and fighting terrorism, all forms of extremism and the intelligence and subversive work of foreign states' special services and organizations are of priority significance for Russian statehood," the statement said. The FSB said it would not increase its personnel as a result of the structural change.
The former anti-terrorism department was a highly trained and outfitted group made up of several specialized anti-terrorist units. It is comparable to the U.S. Special Operations Forces in terms of training and armaments, though it has a much smaller budget. The department's responsibilities included high-profile hostage rescue and anti-terrorist operations.
Under Russian law, the FSB is responsible for ensuring the public security of mass events like elections. As a participant in local electoral commissions, FSB examines the financial activities of candidates and ensures adequate use of available funds. Prime Minister and former FSB head Vladimir Putin recently stressed that FSB agents would control capital flows and "dig up information about illegalities" in the pre-election campaign.
The Russian leadership has made it clear in the last months that it would rely heavily on FSB assistance during the December Duma elections and in the election campaign. In his address to the July FSB conference entitled "On the Russian FSB's Tasks to Maintain Security in the Country during Preparations for and the Holding of Elections to the State Duma," then-Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin said the election campaign was taking place at a time of increased political struggle. "The government was alarmed by the alliances being formed by various associations and parties that do not rule out forcibly changing Russia's constitutional system," Stepashin said.
As FSB head, Putin repeatedly stressed that the agency would act within the constitution in the run-up to the elections. Now, as prime minister, we will see if this is actually the case.
Russian President Boris Yeltsin merged two Federal Security Service (FSB) departments, the anti-terrorism and constitutional security departments, into one on August 28. The new department will also include a third division, whose mission has not been disclosed. The FSB is the successor of the internal departments of the former Soviet KGB.
With the merger of these two departments less than four months before the Duma election, the Russian president and government have created a powerful instrument for dealing with political extremism and the possible penetration of criminal elements in the country's political system. In its new form, however, the FSB could easily be used by the current leadership to pacify and even eliminate political opponents.
The merger was implemented "in accordance with Russia's state defense and security doctrine for the next six years," the FSB said in an August 31 statement. "In current conditions, defending the constitutional structure, preserving the country's integrity and fighting terrorism, all forms of extremism and the intelligence and subversive work of foreign states' special services and organizations are of priority significance for Russian statehood," the statement said. The FSB said it would not increase its personnel as a result of the structural change.
The former anti-terrorism department was a highly trained and outfitted group made up of several specialized anti-terrorist units. It is comparable to the U.S. Special Operations Forces in terms of training and armaments, though it has a much smaller budget. The department's responsibilities included high-profile hostage rescue and anti-terrorist operations.
Under Russian law, the FSB is responsible for ensuring the public security of mass events like elections. As a participant in local electoral commissions, FSB examines the financial activities of candidates and ensures adequate use of available funds. Prime Minister and former FSB head Vladimir Putin recently stressed that FSB agents would control capital flows and "dig up information about illegalities" in the pre-election campaign.
The Russian leadership has made it clear in the last months that it would rely heavily on FSB assistance during the December Duma elections and in the election campaign. In his address to the July FSB conference entitled "On the Russian FSB's Tasks to Maintain Security in the Country during Preparations for and the Holding of Elections to the State Duma," then-Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin said the election campaign was taking place at a time of increased political struggle. "The government was alarmed by the alliances being formed by various associations and parties that do not rule out forcibly changing Russia's constitutional system," Stepashin said.
As FSB head, Putin repeatedly stressed that the agency would act within the constitution in the run-up to the elections. Now, as prime minister, we will see if this is actually the case.
