12 Feb 88
FE/0073 B/2
26th coruary, began [on] 1st February. The change was proposed by legislator Wu Yen-huan because Premier Yu Kuo-hua will fly to Seoul to attend No Tae-u's inauguration as South Korean President on 25th February. (CNA in English 0237 gmt 10 Feb 88)
VIETNAM
HEAD OF TROOP RECRUITMENT OFFICE
INTERVIEWED
Quan Doi Nhan Dan’ 29 Jan 88
Excerpts from interview with Col Nguyen Xuan Cac, head of the troop recruitment office, organisational and troop mobilisation department, Ministry of National Defence
Reporter: Comrade, could you tell me if there is anything new in this year's troop recruitment plan?
The head of the troop recruitment office [HTRO]: Basically, this year's recruitment plan remains the same as in previous years. The only things new are that this year we will pay special attention to the quality of draftees and that all provinces and cities throughout the country will have to fulfil their recruitment quota for the whole year through only one troop recruitment drive. To ensure the quality of those drafted, localities must carry out recruitment scrupulously, taking into account the draftees' health and political qualities. This work must be carried out in the spirit of "let the people know, discuss, do and control”. They must be determined not to draft into the army those youths not meeting political standards or those who are entitled to exemption or deferment from military service because of particularly difficult family situations.
Reporter: Is it against the law on military service to have localities carry out only one troop recruitment per year? What are the positive aspects of this method?
HTRO: This method of refruitment is compatible with the law on military service. Article 21, Clause (1), Chapter IV of the law stipulates that "troop recruitment must be carried out once or twice a year in February, March, August or September". The Chairman of the Council of Ministers issued decision No 350/CT, dated 17th December 1987, based on requirements for building the armed forces and on the specific situations of relevant localities.
Since 1982, the organisational and troop mobilisation department has joined with some local administrations in studying and experimenting with the assignment of annual troop recruitment quotas to certain pilot villages, districts and provinces for fulfilment in only one drive. The results obtained are very good, for a lot of energy and money is saved and a great deal of convenience has been created for localities concerned...
Reporter: Will the policy of a yearly recruitment drive apply only for 1988 or for the following years as well?
SWB
HTRO: This may become a long-term policy. But first of all, we must examine and monitor the experience this year and the situation in different localities before we can reach an official conclusion on this matter.
Reporter: It is reported that a number of localities have organised training this year for 17-year-olds. The training programme lasts for as long as one week and training is relatively rigorous and costly. Is it necessary for this type of work to be encouraged?
HTRO: This type of work, in fact, is only a way to increase the effects of popular military training. While general education schools have not yet carried out military training satisfactorily, it is necessary to provide training for youths in preparation for their military induction. Recently, youths reaching the age of 17 in Thai Binh were organised into units to undergo special military training reserved for militiamen. In Hanoi, such city wards as Kham Thien, O Cho Rua (Dong Da precinct), Cong Vi (Ba Dinh precinct) and Xuan Phuong (Tu Liem district) have organised military training for 17-year-olds. Target practice with live ammunition showed two city wards rated good, one rated satisfactory, and another one still unrated. This is encouraging. It accurately reflects the tradition of popular military training which has for years been well established among general middle schools in Hanoi.