Ravhat Bairamov,

military pensioner

"I don't think there is a need at the moment because the measures that [Moscow Mayor Yury] Luzhkov spelled out will be enough. Patrol reinforcement and checks on apartment-block attics and basements should work. Another good measure is making residents alert, so that they themselves can guard their houses. This has already proved effective, with explosives found in a few houses and lives saved. ... A state of emergency has too many negatives to it. It confines people in many ways and is a nuisance."

Galina Cheley,

radio engineer

"Measures taken by the city government have made our police turn to real work. Before, they just hassled people, pensioners selling vegetables. Although I'm not sure how it will help, some security measures should be taken, but, I pray, not a state of emergency. That would cancel the elections when it's high time we had our president replaced. It would have a serious consequence for this country. ... The idea itself will bring more panic than actually helping to placate people's fears. Soldiers ... and tanks on the streets is a terrible sight."

Leonid Ivanov,

scientific research

institute, Saratov

"A state of emergency is a drastic measure, of course, but at least there would be more order. I guess people would feel more secure with it and not so stressed-out. I arrived in Moscow only recently, and I didn't notice that many police. If a state of emergency is introduced, I imagine there would be a lot more police and it will feel safer. As for limiting my rights and freedoms, you just have to live with it for a while until the situation is resolved. I think it will create more problems for criminals and terrorists than for me."

Inna Vyrodova,

student

"A state of emergency is too tough a measure for people who live here. Look at them now - grim, tired and sad, with fear in their eyes. If there were a state of emergency, you wouldn't find a smiling face anywhere. Then the elections will be called off. We simply have to have new people elected. It cannot carry on as it is. ... A state of emergency will not resolve problems but will only escalate tensions in society. On the other hand, measures introduced now like passport checks should bring some order."

Yelena Fedyash,

firefighter

"I was frightened when I heard about the blast. A cold chill went down my spine. I work as a firefighter and I know what it is like. ... However, fearing for my child and his future, I don't approve of an emergency state. I don't see how it could help us. Ordinary people will not gain from it, and it will in no way hinder those who blow up our houses. It's useless. ... If such civilized countries as the United States cannot solve [the problem of terrorism], introducing a state of emergency here would not be the answer."

Ignat Karachakov,

student

"I would approve of a state of emergency, because I don't want to be a victim and get blown up one day. Of course, I realize that even a state of emergency would not secure me 100 percent, but at least there would be some hope, some chance. The restrictions it would bring would only be there for a short while. I don't mind them. If I do get blown up, would they ever matter to me? ... It's a pity that the elections would be called off because we've had enough of Yeltsin. He can't put two words together. Otherwise, I'm not against it."