CONDITIONS FOR CIVIC TRUST

by Alina Semenova

A meeting between journalists and representatives of the Antimilitarist Radical Association has taken place in National Institute of Press.

Press conference has been opened by Nikolaj Khramov, secretary of the Antimilitarist Radical Association, who stated that during the recent General Council of the ARA there were taken decisions which definitely deserve big attention since "they have importance not only for us but for the whole society". First, Nikolaj Khramov confirmed Association's intention to struggle for a democratic law on alternative civilian service. Secondly, there was underlined again ARA's position of principle: this right should belong to every Russian citizen without exception. Thirdly, alternative service should have civilian character.

Nikolaj Khramov expressed support to the Civic Obedience Campaign launched last May by ARA's activists: "There are reasons to guess that thanks to this campaign seven thousands requests for alternative service would be written."

Representatives of the ARA declared that "soon an appeal for conducting a cardinal military reform would be addressed to president and government."

Then conversation has been continued by Valerij Borscev, president of the ARA. He turned to problems not only military, but also to political ones. "Occasionally, session of ARA's General Council coincided with the first meeting of Lev Rokhlin's supporters from Movement to Support the Army. This is rather symbolically, we pay attention to the same problems, but by different way, - stated Valerij Borscev. - It seems to me, if Rokhlin cares about army's problems, he must understand that it's impossible to keep the army in its present form. Our army should pass to a new quality."

Valentina Melnikova from Russian Committee of Soldiers' Mothers who also was present at the meeting, declared that it is necessary to release from criminal responsibility and possible persecution those who objected participation in Chechen war on reasons of conscience. A typical example of contemporary lawlessness, according to the participants of the press conference, is the story of Artem Onoprienko, a paratrooper sergeant who objected to serve in Chechnya and addressed with an open letter to Defense Minister and President explaining them reasons of his step. In spite of the fact that deserter Onoprienko has been fallen under amnesty adopted by the State Duma several months before that, he has been arrested at his own home and was imprisoned until has been released with "non-departure subscription".

At the end of the press conference representatives of the ARA and RCSM expressed their attitude to the draft law "On conscription and military service" which, according to them, violates norms of international law, Russian Constitution and several federal laws.