DUSHANBE, March 27, Asia-Plus - Tajik Ministry of Defense (MoD) is sure that the spring conscription target will be fulfilled completely.  

The source at a MoD said that their sources allow them carrying out proper selection.  At the same time, he noted that one of serious problems facing the conscription campaign in Tajikistan is the fact that some 600,000 young men of call-up age are currently outside the republic, seeking better employment opportunities in other CIS states, mainly in the Russian Federation.  “This problem should be tackled in cooperation with the law enforcement agencies,” the source said. 

According to him, a 2006 autumn conscription campaign was fulfilled completely and no complains had been lodged by conscripts and relatives.  “Some 7,000 were drafted into the army during last year’s autumn conscription campaign,” the source said, adding that during last year’s spring conscription campaign 8,000 young men were conscripted.  

Asked about quality of contingent drafted into the army, the source noted that some 40 percent of young men of call-up age in the country have health problems.