CheekY Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 Students Boycott Classes To Protest Impending Army Draft By Ruzanna Stepanian Hundreds of students in Yerevan were boycotting Friday university classes for the second consecutive day in protest against government plans to scrap military service deferments and exemptions enjoyed by those of them who continue their studies on the post-graduate level. Under a new draft law on compulsory military duty approved by the government earlier this month, students will be able to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree only after serving in the Armenian Armed Forces for two years like other young Armenian men. They would only be allowed to complete their four-year undergraduate program before being drafted. The Defense Ministry and other government agencies argue that the existing law is creates fertile ground for bribery among university officials in charge of graduate admissions. Many male students are believed to enroll in the state-funded programs to delay their draft or avoid it altogether. The current legislation provides a full service exemption to individuals with a doctorate. Senior academics running Armenia’s leading state-run universities warn, however, that the planned change would lower educational standards in Armenia and discourage young men from pursuing an academic or scientific career. This view was ardently articulated by nearly a thousand students that gathered outside Yerevan State University, chanting “Science! Science!” Many of them were undergraduate students. “We say yes to science and education, yes to defense of the homeland, but say no to the new draft law on military service,” said one of the organizers of the protest, Armen Avetisian. “If they are going to draft us, why do we need to attend lectures and get high marks?” “You can’t strengthen the army with a thousand people,” said another protester. Female students could also be seen in the male-dominated crowd. “Don’t deprive us of our boys!” read one of the placards carried by them. Leaders of the disgruntled students were scheduled to meet with Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian on Friday. Avetisian said they refused to turn up for the meeting because Sarkisian agreed to talk only to seven persons most of whom are affiliated with the pro-establishment National Youth Council. Avetisian claimed that he had earlier promised to receive as many as 50 protesters. But several. According to one of the Council members who met with Sarkisian, Aram Sukiasian, the powerful minister argued that the number of graduate students has nearly doubled since Soviet times despite a steep decline in government-funded scientific work and that virtually all of them are men. “As the minister put it, that means our girls have stopped thinking,” Sukiasian told RFE/RL. According to the Armenian Ministry of Science and Education, some 630 students are admitted each year into the state-funded graduate and post-programs covered by the existing military service privileges. About 200 of them study for a doctorate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gevo27 Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 Many male students are believed to enroll in the state-funded programs to delay their draft or avoid it altogether These guys are extremely sharp.. how did they catch on to this?? I have heard of this before, but i do not understand the core driving force for this legislation to be passed... its more than "bribery" concerns.. and whatever else BS the parliament of armenia can come up with.. anyone care to enlighten???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormig Posted February 24, 2004 Report Share Posted February 24, 2004 It is entirely possible that graduate studies could be used to avoid military service. They could start by taking off this if-doctorate-then-exemption thing. Then something to monitor admissions and such should be done - it would serve a good purpose, too - two birds with one shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gevo27 Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 It is entirely possible that graduate studies could be used to avoid military service. They could start by taking off this if-doctorate-then-exemption thing. Then something to monitor admissions and such should be done - it would serve a good purpose, too - two birds with one shot. possible????? lol. stormig jan, i have more than one relative which we have helped ourselves to pay into college at armenia, for that very reason, so they dont go to the military and have a 50% chance of making it back alive!!!!!! it is reality, and most people who get in bribe there way in. Infact, i know people who have perfect scores but hasnt gotten accepted, because of lack of bribery.. Armenians are customed to this "bribing" concept in armenia, it is a way of life.. its sad.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEVUL02293 Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Hello To All HyeForum Members: This topic is very big news in Armenia and diaspora. I would like to let my opinion. With this new draft law students will be serving theire beloved country for two years and use theire prior education skills and contribute lot for beloved Armenia. Then after serving two years , continue remaining high degree education. If diffucult times comes to over soil waving there diplomas is not going to safe there loved ones. Enemy just knows to see powerful and large army. Otherwise won't be tomorrow. We are unfortanityl sees most of the things in negative ways. And my opion also our female group also should serve theire counterpart. When military services completed these still young man and woman will be more strong. Peace comes with sacrifica. Entire history of man kind to let us leave in peace some of us must paid the price. My best regards to all. By the way I am veteran of foreign wars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormig Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Hopefully a diploma won't mean one "qualifies" for tutoring the sargeant's dumb kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hye_Acher Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 (edited) Hello To All HyeForum Members: This topic is very big news in Armenia and diaspora. I would like to let my opinion. With this new draft law students will be serving theire beloved country for two years and use theire prior education skills and contribute lot for beloved Armenia. Then after serving two years , continue remaining high degree education. If diffucult times comes to over soil waving there diplomas is not going to safe there loved ones. Enemy just knows to see powerful and large army. Otherwise won't be tomorrow. We are unfortanityl sees most of the things in negative ways. And my opion also our female group also should serve theire counterpart. When military services completed these still young man and woman will be more strong. Peace comes with sacrifica. Entire history of man kind to let us leave in peace some of us must paid the price. My best regards to all. By the way I am veteran of foreign wars. I completely disagree with you…. Its not like Armenian armies are heaven… for God sake soldiers get beat up on daily bases… they face physical abuse by higher authorities in the group for two year even more. By the way, they make it sound two years but it really isn’t it goes up to three to even four years and if you want your loved one to be released after two years then you have to pay… I agree that we do need to fight for our own country but if you’re not going to do it your self then you shouldn’t be able to say what should or shouldn’t young adults in Armenia do… young males in Armenian armies are being used in every possible way… now would you tell me what’s so good about being abused and used??? I think we should place ourself in their shoes then, express our opinions on how people should act or things should be done. Edited February 28, 2004 by Hye_Acher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEVUL02293 Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Hello to all HyeForum members: Once again greetings to all. Disagreeing with me might loose your life. Agreeing with me might loose your life too. But soldiering means ready to take orders and execute them to save your beloved country from enemy attack.hardships comes with , to teach and ptrepare these young man and woman for fighting. To fight must have to pass hardship, misarable life and extra ordinary human condition. After that you be in glory to defend yourself and your beloved country. Words can not descripe soldiers life that goes thru. End of this journey with war or without war he or she is allready is in victory. Nobody can take that earned privilages. God Bless All. And I as a soldier , I will pray everyday for any soldier,any where to be victory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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