YELTSIN REASSURES MILITARY

July 29, 1997

MOSCOW (AP) -- Seeking to reassure Russia's disgruntled military, President Boris Yeltsin promised today that planned military reform would improve the soldiers' lot and the army's combat might.

It was Yeltsin's second public statement on the issue in less than a week.

Yeltsin wants to cut Russia's 1.7 million-strong armed forces by 500,000 by 1999. He also wants to end conscription and create an army that would be better equipped and trained.

Many senior generals, career soldiers and politicians oppose the plans. A pro-military group in parliament has condemned them as ill-conceived and dangerous both for the army and the country.

In an appeal to soldiers, issued in his capacity as commander-in-chief, the president argued that ``without such a reform it would be impossible to guarantee a reliable defense for Russia in the future.''

``The reform will radically improve the social status and well-being of a man in uniform,'' Yeltsin said in the statement released by his press service.

In a radio address Friday, Yeltsin announced that reform of the armed forces has finally begun despite protests from generals and politicians.

The government long has promised to modernize the military, but changes have been stalled by internal opposition and the lack of a clear policy.

In May, Yeltsin fired Defense Minister Igor Rodionov over his failure to carry out radical cuts, replacing him with Gen. Igor Sergeyev.

Last week, the president signed decrees aimed at streamlining the chain of command and drastically changing the armed forces' structure. He also ordered personnel cuts within the Defense Ministry and the army's construction corps.

``We are striving for significant cuts, but not at the expense of combat units,'' Yeltsin said.

The president said revenue from the sales of excessive or outdated weaponry and real estate would be used to build as many as 100,000 apartments for homeless families of career servicemen.

The lack of military housing and persistent salary delays are key concerns for Yeltsin. These woes could become a source of unrest within the military, long plagued by low morale, corruption and a marked decline in combat ability.

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Johnson's Russia List

#1098

29 July 1997

djohnson@cdi.org