FURTHER DELAYS FOR AMENDMENTS TO ALTERNATIVE

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001341

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN; DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV AM
SUBJECT: FURTHER DELAYS FOR AMENDMENTS TO ALTERNATIVE
MILITARY SERVICE LAW

REFS: YEREVAN 001268


1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.


2. (SBU) This message updates reftel. A National
Assembly committee expert who worked on Armenia's
alternative military service law previously informed
Post that amendments to the law on alternative military
service would be completed during the spring
legislative session or completed during an
extraordinary session this summer. However, the same
source informed Post June 14 that, with only a few days
left in the current legislative session, the amendments
would not be discussed as part of this session's
agenda. He blamed the delay on the Ministry of Defense
for not returning the amendments to the National
Assembly in time with the Ministry's approval and
comments.


3. (SBU) Comment. The original alternative military
service legislation took effect June 1 and was to apply
to the Fall 2004 draft. Post does not believe that
implementation procedures can be ready by that time.
Coordination between the Ministry of Defense and the
National Assembly is at best a complicated bureaucratic
process, and both sides appear unhurried to implement
alternative military service provisions. Post believes
the law cannot realistically be implemented for new
draftees before Spring 2005. In the meantime, GOAM
officials have given no tentative dates for the release
of 23 conscientious objectors, currently in detention,
who are affected by the new legislation. End comment
ORDWAY