GENERAL MOTION

of the Second Congress of the Antimilitarist Radical Association

Adopted by 29 votes for, 1 against and 4 refrained

The Second Congress of Antimilitarist Radical Association held in Moscow on January 16 and 17, 1999,

expresses deep grief in connection with tragical disappearance of our comrade, member of General Council of ARA Galina Starovojtova, assassinated on November 20, last year in St.Petersburg.

The Congress, having heard reports of Secretary and Treasurer, accepts them.

During two-day time debate the Congress ascertains, that the voting of October 7 in the State Duma against the draft bill on alternative civilian service rejected by efforts of militarist lobby, has marked the end of a long and important stage in the struggle for military reform in Russia. It is necessary to recognize, that at the given stage we have lost major battle, which purpose - prompt acceptance of a liberal law on alternative civilian service - was determined by the First Congress. We, Radical antimilitarists, are today in a new political situation, and we should take it into account, having comprehended lessons of two and a half years of struggle for this law.

We are convinced, that the State Duma of the Sixth convocation before expiry of its term at the end of this year is not going to accept the conscientious objection law, so important for millions of Russian citizens.

Despite of this lost battle, the general struggle for protection of conscientious objection right, against militarism is not completed at all. In these conditions the Congress considers, that political priority of antimilitarists in the coming months should become launching of a wide all-Russian civil campaign for abrogation of conscription and transition to voluntary (professional) principle of armed forces recruitment. The goal of ARA should become organizing of interaction with all political and civil forces, all citizens of our country sharing this purpose, including professionals in defense field. Free, democratic, liberal, prospering Russia of the State of Law, to which we aspire, should have effective, professional, small army appropriate both to real security needs on the threshold of the third millennium, and economic possibilities of the country.

At the same time the Congress confirms necessity of passing a law allowing any citizen to realize his constitutional right on conscientious objection so long as in the country the draft slavery is kept.

The Congress expresses its resolute support to hundreds and thousands courageous young Russians, who openly declared and are declaring their conscientious objection and demanding realization of their constitutional right in judicial halls all over the country. On their resistance and determination in affirmation of Law and Right depends not only destiny of the draft bill about on alternative service and military reform, but also future of democratic transformations in our country as a whole.

At the same time the Congress ascertains, that ambitious political tasks faced by antimilitarists dramatically do not correspond to the today's organizational condition of Association. ARA has no any financial resources not only for realization of political projects, but also for maintenance of its structure even on a minimum level. The quantity of members, enrolled in Association, does not allow even to ensure normal functioning of the organization according to its Statute.

In this situation the Congress decides to not to elect this time the statutory bodies of the Association, to prolong their powers for the period no more than till December 31, 1999. For this period the congress charges the Four with development and realization of political initiatives according to the line determined by present Motion, launching the membership campaign with the purpose of achievement of the quantity of members and adherents, which would make possible revival of ARA as all-Russian political antimilitarist organization, and also to prepare the project of the new Statute of organization. After the expiration of this period, in case of successful achievement of conditions necessary for continuation of ARA activity, not later by December 31, 1999 the 3rd Congress of Antimilitarist Radical Association should be called, where the new Statute should be accepted and new managing bodies of the Association should be elected. Otherwise Secretary, Treasurer, President and President of General Council tak

e on the base of consensus the decision on dissolution of the organization.