MOSCOW. July 7 (Interfax-AVN) - The State Duma defense committee has summed up the 2004 spring session results, committee chairman Viktor Zavarzin said on Wednesday.
"During the spring session, the committee prepared 25 sessions that considered over 150 issues, including more than 90 pertaining to bills submitted to the committee," Zavarzin told Interfax-Military News Agency.
He mentioned draft amendments to federal laws on social protection of servicemen and their families among the most important issues discussed at committee sessions.
In addition, the committee considered the bill "On the Legal Status and Financial and Economic Activity of Military Organizations" and amendments to the law "On the Status of Servicemen" and the Russian Housing Code. The amendments to the code are related to the ongoing transition to the manning of the Armed Forces predominantly by contracted personnel and to the introduction of mortgages for the military.
"Lawmakers considered the state of combat training in the Armed Forces and the situation around the draft for active-duty service," Zavarzin said.
"In April, the defense committee played an active part in the preparations for and conduction of parliamentary hearings on military cooperation and regional security maintenance problems in the CIS under present-day circumstances," he added.