A development program will continue for the Caucasus republics, including its tourism potential, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said during a meeting of the National Counterterrorist Committee on Tuesday.
Medvedev arrived in the North Caucasus a few days after terrorist attacks occurred in Kabardino-Balkaria.
Last weekend unidentified assailants opened fire on a van carrying Moscow tourists to the Mt. Elbrus area, a famous ski resort in Kabardino-Balkaria. Three people, including a woman, were killed and two others were injured.
A cable car used to carry skiers up the slopes of Mt. Elbrus was hit by an explosion on Friday evening as well, bringing the ski lifts to a halt after the cables and 40 cabins crashed to the ground. No one was injured in the incident.
Police also defused three bombs found in a car near a hotel at the foot of Mt. Cheget, another ski resort in the republic.
Presidential Envoy to Russia's North Caucasus Federal District Alexander Khloponin suggested on Monday suspending the reception of tourists near Mt. Elbrus during counter-terrorism operations.
"Whatever criminals try to do, we will continue to implement projects, including the development of the tourism cluster," Medvedev said.
According to Medvedev, the republics of the Caucasus should be equally advanced in social terms as other regions of the country.
Russia has imposed a counter-terrorism regime in two areas of the North Caucasus Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. The regime covers all towns and villages of the Elbrus district, including the town of Tyrnyauz, nine villages and part of the Baksansky district of the republic as well as four villages where increased terrorist activities have been registered.
VLADIKAVKAZ, February 22 (RIA Novosti)
