At their meeting on 16 January, The Committee discussed the Bill (Reg. No.1316) introduced by The President of Ukraine.
The Bill envisages that, as at 30 December 2008, the total strength of Ukraine's Armed Forces will total 183,000, including 143,000 servicemen.
During 2008, the total strength of Ukraine's Armed Forces will be reduced by 17,000, including 9,000 servicemen.
The Bill also proposes optimization in the structure and strength of the Fast Response Joint Forces and Primary Defence Forces within Ukraine's Armed Forces, a reduction in their strength to the recommended figures, a reduction in the membership of Support Divisions together with the introduction of new plans for their organization, and provision of engineering, rear, etc support facilities.
During deliberations, Committee members expressed considerable disapproval of the Bill. The majority of those present were opposed to the envisaged reduction, by 17,000 of Ukraine's Armed Forces in 2008. They made the comment that the Bill does not contain a clear enumeration of the enlisted personnel subject to reduction. In addition, the Committee felt that the Bill does not provide for social guarantees to servicemen and their families.
Anatoliy Hrytsenko, Committee Chairman, advised that it was agreed during his discussions with The President's Secretariat and Cabinet of Ministers that, subject to a revision in the current year the reduction probably will total 9, 000 instead of 17,000. He said that the relevant amendments to the Bill could be made during its final elaboration.
People's Deputy, Olexander Kuzmuk, put forward a proposal that the maximum reduction figure for the current year should be 9,000. He made a suggestion that it would be possible to carry forward to the following year a reduction of 8,000 personnel from the total 17,000 planned for this year.
Members of The Committee expressed their concern at Military units being subject to reduction, which is impractical in the current situation.
The People's Deputies submitted recommendations that The Armed Forces Reduction Plan should be drafted showing reduction numbers year by year, up to and including 2011. They feel that this should be made the subject of a separate Bill.
The Committee upheld the decision to suggest to the Legislative initiator that the Bill should be amended , taking into account their proposals.