Parties reject bill to reduce army service

ALL POLITICAL parties, with the exception of AKEL and the Green Party, have rejected the bill proposing a reduction of military service to 19 months.

According to the Chairman of the House Defence Committee, Yiannakis Omirou of EDEK, the committee has expressed its reservations over the government’s proposal.

“The view of the majority of deputies from the parties DISY, DIKO, EDEK and EVROKO have expressed their opposition and/or serious reservations and/or concerns over plans to reduce military service; despite everyone’s desire for this to happen,” Omirou announced after yesterday’s meeting. “Serious doubts were expressed over the Defence Minister’s proposal on how the reduction can take place.”

The majority of the Committee has also disagreed with the ministry’s proposal on how to reform the National Guard.

“Our committee is calling on the government to continue discussions with the parties and the Committee, in order to conclude on a consensual proposal, with the main aim of maintaining national safety and protecting the island’s defensive abilities,” said Omirou.

The Committee has been examining the bill since October 6, when it was submitted by Defence Minister Costas Papacostas. It will now present its final report to the Plenum.

Explaining AKEL’s decision to back the bill, deputy Aristos Aristotelous said the military service reduction was a demand by society and those who oppose it would have the public to deal with.

“I don’t feel we are alone in this,” said Aristotelous. “The crushing majority of the Cyprus public feels and is convinced that we need to promote a reformation of the National Guard.”

The Ministry’s proposal, he added, aims to create a strong force, while at the same time creating the conditions to gradually reduce the service.

“The result of the report doesn’t surprise us; it is something we had expected from the first moment this discussion began,” said Aristotelous. The situation that has been created will lead to delays in improving the NG’s operation, he concluded.

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