Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Not many people desert from military service

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Not many people desert from military service

    Not many people desert from military service

    By Karine Mangasarian

    Yerkir/arm
    October 29, 2004

    According to data provided by the Armenian Defense Ministry, only
    about twenty people have chosen the option of alternative military
    service duringthe last army call-up in Armenia. The government has
    adopted decree N940 on â=80=9C Locations for alternative military
    service and alternative service uniform'.

    According to this decree, those who choose the alternative service
    will serve in Syunik, Gegharkunik and Tavush regions working in
    psychiatric hospitals, orphanages and clinics. National Assembly
    vice-speaker Vahan Hovhannissian presented a draft law that proposes
    several amendments to the law on alternative military service.

    Before commenting on the amendments, Hovhannissian reminded that his
    law had stirred wide public discussions and fears that it might
    encourage desertion from the army and increase membership in various
    religious organizations.` Judging from the applications we have
    received so far, those fears were not justified.

    Many National Assembly deputies including some members of the
    opposition were suggesting that this law would result in mass
    desertion from the army. However, it turned out that they were
    underestimating the Armeniansâ=80=99 conscious attitude towards the
    army. The twenty applications that we have received sofar are the best
    proof for this point,' Hovhannissian says.

    However, time showed that the law needs some amendments. Hovhannissian
    believes this is a result of lack of experience in drafting such
    legislation. The amendments will specify the rights and obligations of
    those choosing alternative service. The amendments will determine the
    social security guarantees and the scope of responsibility in case of
    violations.

    Another issue to be addressed in the amendment is the examination of
    the applications for alternative service. Initially it was planned
    that each ofthe local army committees would examine the applications
    for alternative service. However, it turned out that it would be
    impossible to send corresponding experts to all of the local
    committees.

    The amendment proposes to create a special committee within the
    central army committee that will examine the alternative service
    applications. `There will be no problems in this respect especially
    taking into account that there are not that many applications,'
    Hovhannissian concluded.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Working...
X