US embassy cable - 04YEREVAN2545

UNCLAS YEREVAN 002545 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN (SIDEREAS), DRL 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, AM 
SUBJECT: ARMENIA COMPLETES LAW ON ALTERNATIVES TO 
MILITARY SERVICE 
 
REFS:  A) YEREVAN 1341 
 
       B) YEREVAN 1268 
 
(U) Sensitive but unclassified.  Please protect 
accordingly. 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1. (SBU) On November 23, Armenia's National Assembly 
amended legislation that provides draftees with a 
mechanism to apply for an alternative to military 
service.  These amendments clear the way for full 
implementation of the alternative military service law 
that was passed in November 2003 as part of Armenia's 
compliance with Council of Europe commitments.  This 
fall, the Ministry of Defense accepted approximately 
twenty applications for alternative military service 
from new draftees and intends to process the 
applications before the recruits begin military 
service.  The GOAM has not set a timeline for the 
release of conscientious objectors currently serving 
prison sentences.  End Summary. 
 
-------------- 
THE AMENDMENTS 
-------------- 
 
2. (SBU) The approved amendments make several important 
changes to Armenia's law on alternatives to military 
service.  The category of "civil" (i.e. completely non- 
military) service was added to the legislation, 
enabling conscious objectors to work in hospitals and 
other public facilities rather than the military.  The 
amendments also centralized the process of application 
and review.  Both civil and alternative military 
service will last 42 months in contrast to the current 
24 months draftees spend in the army. 
 
-------------------- 
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES 
-------------------- 
 
3. (SBU) Since the original law passed in November 
2003, bureaucratic roadblocks have dogged 
implementation of the legislation.  The Ministry of 
Defense did not complete recommendations on the 
amendments until June of this year, missing the spring 
legislative session (reftel A).  While waiting for the 
amendments, the GOAM did not begin work on the 
logistics of implementation (reftel B).  However, a 
Ministry of Defense (MOD) spokesman argued that the 
Government had not missed its deadline since the MOD 
accepted applications this fall, and the review board 
would make decisions before the new recruits begin 
active duty next year. 
 
---------------- 
WORK TO COMPLETE 
---------------- 
 
4. (SBU) Several obstacles still exist before the law 
can operate smoothly.  The local representative of the 
Jehovah's Witnesses told us that he did know that the 
MOD was already accepting applications for alternatives 
to military service.  He said it was the Government's 
responsibility to inform all draftees of the new 
program.  He also stated that he knew of no procedure 
for the release of conscientious objectors who were 
convicted under previous law.  (Note:  ten 
conscientious objectors are serving prison terms and 
three are awaiting trial for draft evasion.  End note.) 
A committee must still decide the composition and 
operation of the application review committee. 
 
------- 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
5. (SBU) While work is not fully complete on an 
effective system, the Armenian law on alternatives to 
military service appears to be closer to a reality.  We 
understand the MOD may be somewhat irritated by being 
forced to implement this program.  Local conscientious 
objectors are not quite sure they got what they asked 
for. 
EVANS