March 18, 1998

N 1256/98

To the President of the Government

of the Russian Federation

Viktor Chernomyrdin

PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY

Dear Viktor Stepanovich,

in view of numerous contradictory declarations of the ex-Minister of Defence Rodionov and of the actual Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation Sergeev about the possibilities of transition to the remanning the Armed Forces on the basis of contracts, please, let me know the official position of the Government of the Russian Federation concerning the realisation of the Presidential Decree N 722 of March 16, 1996 "On transition to the remanning of the rank and file and sergeants of the Armed Forces and of other troops of the Russian Federation on a professional basis".

I would also like to get information about the realisation of paragraph 2 of this Presidential Decree concerning the preparation and presentation to the President of the draft laws that would modify the legislation in force and provide the transition to the military service on a professional basis.

Sincerely Yours,

Valerii Borschev