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Mr Putin and the Cabinet discussed progress in the investigation into the terrorist attack on July 5 at Moscow’s Tushino airfield and measures to strengthen security and law and order.

The President said that Russia would never let itself be manipulated or controlled by terrorists, because the very first step along this road would send the state into disintegration and the number of victims would then grow by tens, hundreds and even thousands.

President Putin considered that those who are part of an international terrorist network in Chechnya must be destroyed; it is useless to persuade them to lay down their arms. On the other hand, the authorities should act professionally and not harm civilians, the President stressed.

He demanded that efforts be stepped up to extradite militants to Russia who committed crimes on its territory. He issued the appropriate instructions to the Foreign Ministry, secret services and law enforcement bodies.

The way crimes are committed, the channels and sources of their financing and supply, and, most important of all, the fact that crimes are directed against peaceful civilians shows that the militants operating in Chechnya are part of an international terrorist network, President Putin said.

The President instructed the Government to render moral and financial support to the relatives of the victims of the Moscow attack and give help to those in the hospital.

A federal budget for 2004 was also considered at the meeting. President Putin stressed the need for submitting an appropriate draft to Parliament ahead of schedule in connection with the State Duma elections set for December.