The Defense Ministry has proposed to cut down the number of service persons by some 8,000 to achieve a numerical strength of 32,000, Defence Minister Vesselin Bliznakov said Thursday. Emerging from the weekly session of the Council of Ministers, he added that 1,400 civilian employees will be made redundant as well, BTA reports.

He explained that the savings from the cutbacks and other sources will be used to increase the remuneration of servicemen from January 2009 by more than the universal 10 per cent increase in the state-financed sector.

At the government meeting, the Defense Minister briefed the rest of the minsters on the updates in a plan for organization development and modernization of the armed forces until 2015 (Plan 2015).

Bliznakov said that the government approved key parameters of Plan 2015 and the discussions will continue at the next meeting.

The Defense Ministry will report - probably on March 12 - the proposed changes to the parliamentary defense committee. The Minister will also be meeting with President Georgi Purvanov, who is also Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, to discuss the updated Plan 2015.

The updated Plan 2015 envisages closure of 60 troop areas and three garrisons, and changes in the command structure. Bliznakov explained that the latter referred to strengthening the Joint Operational Command which is the only unit to grow in size.

The Ministry will explore all opportunities for offering what the Minister called "an improved social package" for service persons. Specific proposals will be offered to the Council of
Ministers in the next five-six days. Bliznakov explained that that included improved health care,new day-care centers for servicemen's children, housing and better recreation
opportunities.

Asked by the press to comment the viability of a mixed army - with conscripts and professional soldiers, the Defense Minister said it is impossible at those particular moment. He added that the professionalization of the army is a political decision that has been made by Parliament.

Photo: BGNES