By RIA Novosti correspondent
MOSCOW, JULY 25 /RIA NOVOSTI/ -- Money allowance arrears to servicemen and back wages to civilian personnel of the armed forces will be paid off in July-August 1997, and outstanding social benefits, compensations and other payments as set by the Russian Federation's legislation, in September-December.
This is said in a telegram sent by Russia's Defence Minister General of the Army Igor Sergeyev to commanders of all services and arms, military districts an fleets, and heads of main and central departments of the Defence Ministry.
A RIA Novosti correspondent was told at the Defence Ministry press service that the telegram, which was sent out yesterday, says that "in pursuit of the Russian Federation's government's decision No. 885 of July 15, 'On Paying Off Arrears in Cash Allowances to Servicemen and Wages to the Civilian Personnel of the Armed Forces, and also to Staff, Servicemen and Workers of the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation'", the Defence Ministry and the Finance Ministry, at a working meeting on July 19, agreed on the procedure for joint steps to pay the debts and remit the money to the troops.
To monitor the progress in repayment the Main Military Budget and Financing Department of the Defence Ministry will arrange a round-the-clock reception from July 28 to September 5 applications from armed forces personnel on a special multi-channel telephone: /095/ 296-09-93.
The Defence Minister demanded from heads of army and fleet structures that money being allocated for repaying existing debts to armed forces personnel be used strictly for its stated purpose.
Any attempts at diverting it for other ends will be cut at once, and official guilty of the misdeed penalised.
By August 20, the Minister must be handed in a report on progress in paying off arrears to the servicemen of the army and navy. A final report will be presented to the Defence Minister by September 10.
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Johnson's Russia List
#1086
26 July 1997
djohnson@cdi.org (info@cdi.org)