Putin Tasks \"the Siloviki\"

President Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with 38 top-ranking officers on the occasion of their appointment to higher posts and promotion to higher ranks.

V. Putin stressed that Russian armed forces have to be ready "to counter any and all attempts to exert military-political pressure " on Russia.

"We understand quite well that Russia has to possess all effective tools which would guarantee its sovereignty, maintain the balance of power and political stability in the world", said President.

Apart from that, V.Putin set the Interior Ministry the task of striking preventive blows on terrorists. "Your actions in that field should be of pre-emptive, preventive nature", he said.

"The recent bombings in London, terror strikes in Iraq, Turkey, Israel, the latest act of terror in Egypt, crimes committed against the authorities in the Chechen Republic and Daghestan demonstrate that terrorism remains one of the major threats in the world", noted V. Putin.

According to V. Putin, "reliable protection of the citizens' rights and freedoms, preclusion of any encroachment on their lawfully acquired property and belongings, as well as assistance in building up a favorable business climate in the country" are the absolute priorities for the Interior Ministry.

Gathered in the Georgian Hall, the hall of military glory of the Grand Kremlin Palace, were distinguished guests from the Ministry of Defense, Interior Ministry, Emergencies Ministry, Federal Security Service, Federal Service of Drugs Trafficking Control, Chief Military Prosecutor's Office.