14 July 2004 -- The Kremlin says that Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a reorganization of the Federal Security Service (FSB).
A decree signed by Putin elevates the chief of the FSB to a cabinet-level position. It also reduces the number of deputies under FSB Director Nikolai Patrushev, from nine to four.
FSB Deputy Director Yevgenii Lovyrev was quoted as saying the changes should make the agency more efficient by speeding up decision-making and clarifying powers and responsibilities.
FSB departments will be disbanded and replaced by units called services, the Kremlin said. Putin also ordered a reorganization of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The order cuts the ministry's staff in its central division from 1,039 to 825.
(AP)
FSB Deputy Director Yevgenii Lovyrev was quoted as saying the changes should make the agency more efficient by speeding up decision-making and clarifying powers and responsibilities.
FSB departments will be disbanded and replaced by units called services, the Kremlin said. Putin also ordered a reorganization of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The order cuts the ministry's staff in its central division from 1,039 to 825.
(AP)