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Agency WPS
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
January 12, 2005, Wednesday
AZERBAIJAN NEEDS A DIFFERENT ARMY
SOURCE: Voyenno-Promyshlenny Kuryer, No. 50, December 29, 2004 -
January 11, 2005, p. 2
by Jasur Mamedov
Azerbaijan's participation in NATO's Partnership for Peace Program
necessitates launching a military reform in the republican army. Baku
does not have other options because this is the essence of
integration into the alliance. What's the essence of the conception
of modernization of the republican Armed Forces? What obstacles
hinder the reform? Major-General Tadzheddin Mekhtiyev, a
representative of the Center of military science in the Defense
Ministry and former defense minister, answers the newspaper's
questions.
Question: The republican Army was established only 13 years ago...
Answer: Yes, and it has achieved substantial successes over these 13
years. At present the republic has an efficient army. However, we
have to do a lot. First and foremost, we must improve the material
and technical basis of the Armed Forces. In addition, its fighting
efficiency is linked with the stability in the republic. (...)
I think that we could have achieved successes that are more
substantial over the past 13 years. However, we need to take in
consideration some exterior aspects of the problem. Some countries
such as Armenia do not want Azerbaijan to create a strong army
because this is the main factor, which can make Armenia start
constructive negotiations. Armenia and its defenders know that a
strong army and liberation of occupied territories mean the same.
Question: What did you have to do over the past years?
Answer: In my opinion, we should have created a professional army
after we concluded the ceasefire agreement in 1994. I think that
contract military service is the future of our army. (...) Some moves
have been made in this direction. As far as I know, commanders of
tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are contract ensigns. However,
we do not have the necessary laws for creating a professional army.
Question: Specialists say that this would be a heavy burden for
Azerbaijan's military budget...
Question: I agree, expenses on the maintenance of the army must
increase. It should be noted that the 2005 military budget will
increase. However, I think that the growth must be substantial, at
least 100%. (...)
There are rumors that we cannot afford to create a contract army.
However, we do not intend to reform all units at once. We could start
with one brigade. Of course, we will have to make amendments to the
system of operational control over the unit and arm it with
up-to-date weapons and military hardware. In the meantime, we need
laws to do this.
In my opinion, a contract brigade can be created within six months.
It must consist of the most experienced officers and ensigns.
Privates and sergeants must be selected among former draftees. We
could calculate expenses on the maintenance of this unit and make
decisions regarding other units.
The new brigade must become the main unit of the Army and be used in
the most important operations.
(...) The contract brigade must be equipped with the most up-to-date
mortars, automatic rifles, bazookas, sniper rifles, machine-guns,
light tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel
carriers. The most important thing is that all officers and ensigns
of the brigade must have the most up-to-date communication systems.
The unit must also use radio-technical, engineering and artillery
reconnaissance systems. In addition, it needs mobile vehicles for
transporting injured servicemen.
Question: Does the legislation in force make it possible to realize
your proposals? What do you need to change?
Answer: (...)I think that amendments must affect the laws on military
service, the status of servicemen and servicemen's pensions. At
present, the family of a killed serviceman receives a lump sum equal
to five monthly wages. In my opinion, this sum must increase to the
Soviet levels (180 months wages). Invalids must receive lump sums
equal to 100 months wages (at present, five months wages). Servicemen
who have served for 15 years receive three months wages when they
resign. (...)
Money allowances must be revised. They must be increased by 200% to
300%. Servicemen's children must not pay for higher education.
Dismissed officers must be placed to new jobs within three months.
Medical services for servicemen and their families must be free of
charge. Dismissed officers must have the right to spend vacations
abroad once a year.
Question: Have these proposals been submitted to the parliament of
Azerbaijan?
Answer: We have done this but we cannot influence the process of
passing these proposals. In my opinion, if a group of advisors
consisting of skilled officers and generals worked in the parliament
we would be able to pass these laws. General Vladimir Timoshenko is
the only professional serviceman in the parliament. It is no
coincidence that the parliament has passed bills, which have
decreased the significance of military service. The advisors would
have defended servicemen's interests.
Translated by Alexander Dubovoi
DEFENSE and SECURITY (Russia)
January 12, 2005, Wednesday
AZERBAIJAN NEEDS A DIFFERENT ARMY
SOURCE: Voyenno-Promyshlenny Kuryer, No. 50, December 29, 2004 -
January 11, 2005, p. 2
by Jasur Mamedov
Azerbaijan's participation in NATO's Partnership for Peace Program
necessitates launching a military reform in the republican army. Baku
does not have other options because this is the essence of
integration into the alliance. What's the essence of the conception
of modernization of the republican Armed Forces? What obstacles
hinder the reform? Major-General Tadzheddin Mekhtiyev, a
representative of the Center of military science in the Defense
Ministry and former defense minister, answers the newspaper's
questions.
Question: The republican Army was established only 13 years ago...
Answer: Yes, and it has achieved substantial successes over these 13
years. At present the republic has an efficient army. However, we
have to do a lot. First and foremost, we must improve the material
and technical basis of the Armed Forces. In addition, its fighting
efficiency is linked with the stability in the republic. (...)
I think that we could have achieved successes that are more
substantial over the past 13 years. However, we need to take in
consideration some exterior aspects of the problem. Some countries
such as Armenia do not want Azerbaijan to create a strong army
because this is the main factor, which can make Armenia start
constructive negotiations. Armenia and its defenders know that a
strong army and liberation of occupied territories mean the same.
Question: What did you have to do over the past years?
Answer: In my opinion, we should have created a professional army
after we concluded the ceasefire agreement in 1994. I think that
contract military service is the future of our army. (...) Some moves
have been made in this direction. As far as I know, commanders of
tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are contract ensigns. However,
we do not have the necessary laws for creating a professional army.
Question: Specialists say that this would be a heavy burden for
Azerbaijan's military budget...
Question: I agree, expenses on the maintenance of the army must
increase. It should be noted that the 2005 military budget will
increase. However, I think that the growth must be substantial, at
least 100%. (...)
There are rumors that we cannot afford to create a contract army.
However, we do not intend to reform all units at once. We could start
with one brigade. Of course, we will have to make amendments to the
system of operational control over the unit and arm it with
up-to-date weapons and military hardware. In the meantime, we need
laws to do this.
In my opinion, a contract brigade can be created within six months.
It must consist of the most experienced officers and ensigns.
Privates and sergeants must be selected among former draftees. We
could calculate expenses on the maintenance of this unit and make
decisions regarding other units.
The new brigade must become the main unit of the Army and be used in
the most important operations.
(...) The contract brigade must be equipped with the most up-to-date
mortars, automatic rifles, bazookas, sniper rifles, machine-guns,
light tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel
carriers. The most important thing is that all officers and ensigns
of the brigade must have the most up-to-date communication systems.
The unit must also use radio-technical, engineering and artillery
reconnaissance systems. In addition, it needs mobile vehicles for
transporting injured servicemen.
Question: Does the legislation in force make it possible to realize
your proposals? What do you need to change?
Answer: (...)I think that amendments must affect the laws on military
service, the status of servicemen and servicemen's pensions. At
present, the family of a killed serviceman receives a lump sum equal
to five monthly wages. In my opinion, this sum must increase to the
Soviet levels (180 months wages). Invalids must receive lump sums
equal to 100 months wages (at present, five months wages). Servicemen
who have served for 15 years receive three months wages when they
resign. (...)
Money allowances must be revised. They must be increased by 200% to
300%. Servicemen's children must not pay for higher education.
Dismissed officers must be placed to new jobs within three months.
Medical services for servicemen and their families must be free of
charge. Dismissed officers must have the right to spend vacations
abroad once a year.
Question: Have these proposals been submitted to the parliament of
Azerbaijan?
Answer: We have done this but we cannot influence the process of
passing these proposals. In my opinion, if a group of advisors
consisting of skilled officers and generals worked in the parliament
we would be able to pass these laws. General Vladimir Timoshenko is
the only professional serviceman in the parliament. It is no
coincidence that the parliament has passed bills, which have
decreased the significance of military service. The advisors would
have defended servicemen's interests.
Translated by Alexander Dubovoi