ABOUT THE TRANSITION TO THE RECRUITMENT OF RANK & FILE AND SERGEANTS OF ARMED FORCES AND OTHER TROOPS OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION ON THE PROFESSIONAL BASE

In view of enforcement of military servicemen authority, of military service prestige, modernization of the army, increasing of its effectiveness in accordance with the basic directions of military reform in Russian Federation, I decree:

1. To transfer starting from the Spring 2000 the Armed Forces and other troops of Russian Federation to the recruitment of rank & file and sergeants on the base of voluntary enlistment of citizens to the military service, with abolishing conscription to the military service, accomplishing by the 2000 the drawing of conditions for enlistment of Russian Federation citizens to the military service on the contract base.

2. The Russian Federation Government within December 1, 1996 to be presenting to the President of Russian Federation:

a) a system of measures which would stimulate engaging citizens in military service as soldiers and sergeants on the contract base;

b) draft laws on amending the current legislation in order to provide the transition to the military service on the professional base.

3. To establish that while drawing proposals of federal budget for the next years, starting from the draft federal budget for 1997, to provide the priority financing of measures contributing to the engagement of citizens in military service as soldiers and sergeants on the contract base.

B. YELTSIN,

President

of Russian Federation

Moscow, The Kremlin

May 16, 1996

N 722