MINSK. Dec 5 (Interfax-AVN) - A bill on alternative civil service and amendments to the law on universal draft and military service will be submitted to the Belarussian legislature in a few days, the state secretariat of the Belarussian Security Council said on Wednesday.
The amendments envisage reduction of the compulsory service term to nine months for graduates of higher educational establishments and 12 months for the rest. Those who studied at military departments of higher educational establishments and took a junior officer training course, but declined to sign a contract for continuation of studies on the reserve officer training program, will serve for six months at important posts of junior commanders. When this service is done, a sergeant can become a professional officer of the Belarussian army.
Those who opt for the alternative service will work in the national economy in case the bill is passed. The service term will be twice as long as that of regular service.
On the one hand, reduction of the service term implies a cut in the state's expenses on training of privates and sergeants and adjustment of conscription to European laws. On the other hand, the reduction may result in a decline in the quality of personnel training, the spokesman said.
Both lawmakers and the military are divided over the problem. The Border Guard Department and Interior Ministry are the most stubborn opponents of the service term reduction, the spokesman stressed.