Official website of the President of Russia

News   /

Discussed were benefit payments, support for the regional media, the state defense order and the transfer of the service in the Army and Interior Troops to the contractual basis, including in Chechnya.

The President pointed out that people must get pensions and benefit payments before the end of the year in 80% of cases.

The Finance Ministry and the Culture and Mass Communications Ministry were charged with solving the problem of financial support for regional media.

The President also said he expected the government to approve the state defense order for 2005 by the New Year.

The transfer to the contractual service in the Army and Interior Troops was considered as a separate issue. The Defense Minister informed the head of state that from January 1, 2005 conscripts would not be sent to Chechnya. According to Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev, 50% of Interior Troops servicemen in Chechnya have been transferred to contract service and the transition to the contractual basis will be completed by January 1, 2006.

The Interior Minister added that CIS citizens would serve in the Russian Army on the contractual basis.