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Russian Daily News Information Service Putin
Vows to Keep Army Strong and Urges Reform
President Vladimir Putin promised on Wednesday to keep the military strong but also emphasized the need for reforms, saying the armed forces must be prepared to combat any threat. "In channeling serious resources to the army, we will understand that the armed forces are a most important attribute of statehood, the guarantor of the sovereignty of our country," Putin said at a meeting with military commanders. "They must be prepared to ... defend Russia against any attempts at military-political pressure and blackmail by force," Putin said in televised comments. "And unfortunately, we do see such methods of foreign policy -- they still exist in the world." Putin said the capability of the armed forces had been increased this year and that progress was made in improving nuclear deterrence, Interfax reported. "The Army and Navy are worthily fulfilling the task of safeguarding Russia's security and defending its national interests," he said. He also reiterated his praise of the law enforcement officers who battled militants last month in Nalchik, saying the attackers "were taught a harsh lesson they deserved" and calling it a result of improved coordination. At least 139 people were killed, including 94 accused attackers, according to official tallies. But Putin reaffirmed the need for long-planned military reforms, saying the armed forces must be ready to decrease the normal term of compulsory service from two years to one year by Jan. 1, 2008 -- "without lessening the combat-readiness of the Army and Navy"-- and to rely increasingly on professional soldiers. He acknowledged that hazing was "a serious problem" in the military, Interfax said. Putin said military pay and pensions would increase by 67 percent over the next three years. With oil prices high, Russia has enjoyed years of strong economic growth and recently boosted its planned budget for 2005, with officials saying a significant part of the additional spending will go to the military and law enforcement. Putin said Russia would spend half as much money again on weapons and equipment purchases in 2006 as this year.
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