Citizens of foreign states have the right to serve in the Russian militaryMarch 7, 2009 - 00:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Moscow newspaper "Trud" has reported that Col. Gen. Nikolay Pankov, the deputy defense minister, had recently pointed out that under Russian law, "the citizens of foreign states have the right to serve in the Russian military."The paper added that its sources in the ministry have indicated that "there will not be any propaganda campaign" to recruit them, "but if their numbers increase" - and the number of foreigners serving in the Russian army now is only 308 - "this will only be welcomed" Foreigners were given the chance to serve in the Russian military by a series of amendments in 2004 to the country's basic law on military service. That law does not specify just which foreign citizens could do so - "theoretically," the paper said, "an Australian aborigine" could serve. But "Trud" suggested that "unofficially" military offices have been given "an order to take for service only citizens of the CIS and the Baltic countries." Those now serving include citizens of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia, plus two from Latvia, two from Germany, and one from Israel. Despite this diversity in citizenship, two-thirds of the total are ethnic Russians, military officials told the paper. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. Partner news | U.S. warns Georgia not to side with Moscow against the west Georgia has been warned by the U.S. not to become an adversary of the west by falling back in line with Moscow. Moscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said. Armenia, India hold first defense consultations The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan. Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. |