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Monday, 21.02.2011
Terror on the slopes: Caucasus Ski Paradise an illusion
Nalchik. At the weekend three ski tourists died in the Caucasus mountains, a cable car was blown up on Mount Elbrus and a car filled with explosives was discovered.
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Kabardino-Balkaria, a region in the North Caucasus, has experienced a series of raids and attacks that started with a ruthless attack on a minibus with tourists from Moscow.
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Two masked men with machine guns stopped a minibus and opened fire, killing three passengers and wounding two. On Friday night a cable car at the close by Mount Elbrus leading to Asau exploded. 30 cabins crashed onto the slopes.
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During the same night, unknown mask men shot at the house of a former police inspector. On Saturday night special forces found a car filled with 70 kg of explosives. All attacks occurred at a relatively small area at the foot of Mount Elbrus.
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Foreign secret service?
The leadership of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria does not rule out that the secret service of neighboring countries was behind the attacks in order to destabilize the region.
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These are only speculations, the investigations are under way President Arsen Kanokov told the press on Monday. Meanwhile anti-terrorist measures are being introduced that also include restrictions for tourists. Security at hotels and tourist attractions is tightened.
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Skiers remain
We limit the influx of tourists and will give information sessions to educate the guests, stated Kanokov. Alexander Radcov, the head of the Russian Tourist Authority said that the majority of skiers had not left the area even as they had been given the option to do so. There was no sign of panic anywhere.
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Has former KGB chief Patrushev been the target?
As per 'Rossiyskaya Gazeta' according to the intelligent services, the masked attackers must have mistaken the Moscow tourist Irina Patrusheva as the daughter of former KGB chief Nikolai Patrushev.
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They had first asked to see the papers of all travelers and had been noticeable interested in Irina Petrusheva, claims the newspaper. The young Muscovite was also shot. However she was not related to the KGB chief.
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Blow against ambitious plans for tourism
The terrorists aim is obviously to target the ambitious plans for the future winter tourism in the Caucasus region. Tourists are to be intimidated by attacks of this kind.
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By 2020, modern ski centers are to be developed across the whole region that will be able to accommodate up to 100,000 visitors at the same time. In comparison, today there are only 10,000 beds available. 450 billion rubles (ˆ11.25) have been assigned to the entire program.
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In addition to these ambitions plans for developing the infrastructure for tourists, Sochi's image as Olympic city is suffering:
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If the region cannot guarantee the necessary security, sports fans will think twice before traveling to the Black Sea for the Winter Olympics in 2014.
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