The World - News from July 12, 1989

Some Soviet conscripts will be let out of part of their military service and students will be allowed to finish their studies before being inducted, Premier Nikolai I. Ryzhkov told the Supreme Soviet, the nation’s legislature. He said that 175,500 students called up between 1986 and 1989 will be released from service in August and September to continue their studies. Under certain conditions some students may not have to return to the military after completing their courses. The move, reflecting a more liberal attitude toward conscription, was widely applauded by the Supreme Soviet, which passed a resolution approving the measure with virtually no opposition.