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Move to set up Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
Bill to clip CBK's military powers
The Government will introduce defence reform laws that seek to strip powers and responsibilities now exercised by the President, who is Commander-in-Chief, and vest them in the Minister of Defence.

The Sunday Times learns that the Joint Chiefs of Staff Bill, to be introduced in Parliament next month, will make provision for the creation of a Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee that will function directly under the Minister of Defence. It will comprise the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and the three Service Chiefs.

Although the draft bill says the appointment of a chairman to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (this post is to replace the current post of Chief of Defence Staff) shall be made by the President, it stipulates that it would be on the advice of the Cabinet of Ministers.

It also makes provision for the appointment of a serving Commander of one of the armed forces or "an officer above the required age," if it appears to the Cabinet of Ministers "to be in the national interest."

A resolution of Parliament, in accordance with the Standing Orders, shall approve every such appointment, according to the draft law. The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the draft law says, will be charged with the objectives of:

* providing effective strategic direction to the armed forces. o providing for the operation of such forces under a unified control.

* providing for the integration of such into an efficient team of land, sea and air forces.

* providing advice to the Government, individually or collectively, when called upon to do so in their capacity of military advisors, on any matter on which the Government requests advice. See also Situation Report by Iqbal Athas for details

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