MOSCOW, JUNE 28, RIA-NOVOSTI CORRESPONDENT ALEXEI BORZENKO

Gen. Leo Rokhlin in charge of the Russian State Duma's Defense Committee wants to establish a nationwide movement in support of the Russian Armed Forces. Rokhlin himself disclosed this to Echo Moskvy radio station here today. According to Rokhlin, army officers, Afghan and Chechen war veterans were expected to join the new movement. Rokhlin referred to the current situation inside the Russian Armed Forces as inadmissible, noting the dire plight of our servicemen. The army can crumble to dust today, the general went on to say.

Such developments had prompted Rokhlin to address an open letter to President Boris Yeltsin, who also acts as Supreme Commander, and Russian servicemen. In his words, that letter should not be seen as a call to mutiny. Rokhlin believes that the so-called officers' assemblies, which are supposed to discuss the current situation inside the Russian Armed Forces, are an absolutely legal institution, which is called on to help army commanders to maintain the high combat readiness of their units.

Leo Rokhlin pointed out that he intended to defend his position, even if NDR (Our Home is Russia) movement expels him from its ranks.

As has already been reported, NDR's political council is to discuss Rokhlin's subsequent membership on June 30.

Talking to reporters, Sergei Belyayev in charge of NDR's State Duma faction complained about specific legal discrepancies that make it impossible to recall Rokhlin, who had run for the Duma on the NDR ticket.

Talking to Echo Moskvy today, Rokhlin explained his involvement in NDR activities by his proximity to the national leadership and by his ability to improve the situation inside the Armed Forces. I know what threatens me after my appeal; still I'm going to remain a member of the Duma and its Defense Committee's chairman, Rokhlin said in conclusion.

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Johnson's Russia List

28 June 1997

djohnson@cdi.org