MINSK, 22 February (BelTA) – Army draft will be discussed at a session of the Security Council of Belarus. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement as he visited the Military Academy on 22 February, BelTA has learned.
Alexander Lukashenko said: “We are now going to discuss problems of the army draft at a session of the Security Council.”
The head of state noted that there is a great number of medical reasons, which postpone the drafting of young Belarusians. Even minor medical problems are on the list. “People with flat feet or crossed eyes get disqualified…” Alexander Lukashenko mentioned as an example.
“We are going to revise the list of diseases and conditions, which disqualify [young Belarusians] for the army service,” Alexander Lukashenko said. “We will also take a look at the active service duration and other things.”
Alexander Lukashenko made it clear that virtually everyone should go through the army one way or another. The head of state noted it is necessary to draft university students for a short time in order to teach them some basic military skills. “Regardless of what army we have, it is a school. People should join the army. People after the army are totally different people. And sport is the foundation of everything,” the head of state said.
The president also mentioned he was seriously contemplating the re-institution of GTO norms [the physical fitness test school leavers had to pass in the USSR]. Putting more efforts into educating kids and young people through physical training and manual labor, primarily in schools, is the general idea.
