ロシア連続テロ ソチ五輪の安全確保が急務だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun January 7, 2014
Ensuring security for Sochi Games essential in light of recent bombings
ロシア連続テロ　ソチ五輪の安全確保が急務だ（1月7日付・読売社説）

The Russian government is urged to absolutely ensure the security of the Sochi Winter Olympic Games, which are set to open in one month.
　ロシア政府は、開幕が１か月後に迫ったソチ冬季五輪の安全確保に万全を期してもらいたい。

Late last month, suicide bombings that targeted a railway station and a trolleybus occurred two days in a row, killing more than 30 people, in Volgograd, a major city about 700 kilometers northeast of Sochi on the Black Sea coast.
　黒海沿岸のソチから北東約７００キロに位置する大都市ボルゴグラードで先月末、鉄道駅やトロリーバスを狙った自爆テロが２日連続で発生し、計３０人以上が死亡した。

In the Dagestan Republic in the North Caucasus region, adjacent to Sochi, terrorist attacks have occurred one after another, killing several people.
　ソチに隣接する北カフカス地方にあるダゲスタン共和国でもテロが相次ぎ、数人の死者が出た。

The recent series of indiscriminate terrorist attacks are believed to be the acts of Islamic extremists and may have been committed by an armed group, which has announced its intention to obstruct the Sochi Games through terror attacks, while calling for the independence of the North Caucasus, which has a large population of Muslims, and the establishment of an Islamic state there.
　一連の無差別テロは、イスラム過激派の犯行とみられている。中でも、イスラム教徒が多い北カフカスの独立とイスラム国家樹立を主張して、テロによるソチ五輪妨害を表明した武装組織が関与した可能性が指摘されている。

This is a worrisome situation. Whatever purposes these attacks may have, terrorism must not be tolerated.
　憂慮すべき事態である。犯行目的が何であれ、テロは決して許されない。

Yet there is no denying that the high-handed political stance of Russian President Vladimir Putin has exacerbated the opposition among Muslims, as he has repressed minorities, media and political forces that do not agree with his administration.
　ただ、プーチン露大統領の強権的な政治姿勢が、イスラム教徒らの反発を増幅させている側面も否定できない。政権の意に沿わない少数派やメディア、政治勢力を力で抑圧してきたからだ。

It is deemed inevitable the leaders of such countries as the United States, Germany and France have decided not to attend the opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympics, on the grounds of human-rights issues in Russia.
　米独仏などの首脳が、人権問題を理由に、ソチ五輪開会式への出席を見送ることにしたのは、やむを得ないのではないか。

At least for now, it is a matter of urgency to prevent terrorist attacks at the Winter Games, where athletes, senior officials of foreign governments and spectators will gather from around the world.
　当面は、世界中のアスリートや政府要人、観客らが集う五輪をテロから守ることが急務である。

Areas in and around Sochi have already been put under tight security, with the police and military forces mobilized. But even tighter security is needed.
　ソチ周辺では既に、警察や軍による厳戒態勢が敷かれているが、一層の警戒が必要だ。

Other targets possible

Other cities and areas, such as Moscow, may also become a target of terrorism. We hope the Russian government will be on alert against terrorism nationwide.
　モスクワなど他の地域が狙われる可能性もある。ロシア全土でテロ対策を強化してほしい。

Following the deadly attacks in Volgograd, Putin said, “We'll fiercely and consistently continue the fight against terrorists until their complete annihilation.” He may also intend to show regional stability both at home and abroad by hosting a successful Winter Games, set to be held near the unstable region of the North Caucasus.
　プーチン氏はテロ発生後、「テロリストを完全に壊滅させるまで徹底した戦いを続ける」と述べた。不安定な北カフカス近くで五輪を成功させ、地域の安定を内外に誇示する意図もあるようだ。

The Russian authorities have said that last year they killed 260 members of extremist groups in the North Caucasus region and elsewhere. It is certain that they will continue to vigorously carry out cleanup operations.
　ロシア当局は昨年、北カフカスなどで過激派２６０人を殺害したと発表した。さらに激しいテロ掃討作戦が行われるのは確実だ。

Yet it is difficult for force alone to end terrorism and solve the fundamental problem.
　だが、武力だけでテロを終息させることは難しく、根本的な問題解決にはつながるまい。

The Putin administration has used force to bring an armed Islamic force under control in Chechnya in the same region. However, rebels who escaped the offensives by Russian forces have continued to operate in Dagestan and elsewhere.
　プーチン政権は、北カフカスにあるチェチェン共和国のイスラム武装勢力を軍事力で制圧した。その際、攻撃を逃れた残党がダゲスタンなどで活動を続けている。

To bring about lasting regional stability, it is essential to help enhance the poverty-stricken people’s livelihood in the region so as to keep the area from becoming a hotbed of terrorism.
　地域の長期的安定には、貧しい北カフカスの住民生活を向上させ、テロの温床にならないようにすることが肝要である。

In Sochi, a Group of Eight summit meeting will also be held in June. It can be said the credibility of the Putin administration is at stake over its ability to maintain public peace.
　ソチでは今年６月、主要８か国（Ｇ８）首脳会議も開かれる。治安の維持に、プーチン政権の威信がかかっていると言えよう。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 7, 2014)
（2014年1月7日01時32分 読売新聞）