- LONDON - One in five of the
military reservists called up in preparation for a possible war in Iraq
has asked to be excused from duty or ignored the order.
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- The ministry of defence confirmed on Sunday that hundreds
of part-time soldiers, airmen and sailors called up as part of the build-up
of Britain's armed forces for a decade had applied for deferral or exemption.
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- More than 200 of the 3 300 reservists who have so far
been sent call-up notices are also thought to have failed to reply within
the two-week deadline and could face legal action.
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- Under the terms of the 1996 Reserve Forces Act, any part-time
member of the armed forces who refuses to answer a call-up is liable to
a court martial or prosecution in a civil court and a jail term of six
months if found guilty.
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- Less than two weeks ago the government announced it was
embarking on the largest call-up of reserve forces in more than 60 years,
with 6 000 required for service.
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- Officials said that 1 100 personnel had already answered
the call-up, of whom about 80 were found to be unfit for duty. An additional
1 500 are also expected to report for duty in the coming days. But 429
had claimed exemption on grounds of ill health or family responsibilities,
or their employers had written submissions, saying they were indispensable
at work, officials said.
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- The defence ministry refused to comment on claims that
210 reservists had ignored their call-up orders.
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- But officials insisted that the total number of drop-outs
was fewer than expected. A defence ministry spokesperson said: "Members
of the reserve forces are entitled to seek exemption or deferral and those
cases will be decided by adjudication in due course.
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- "That figure has been less than anticipated and
the call-up process is continuing. Further notices will be issued over
the coming weeks to engage the required numbers of personnel." - The
Independent
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- http://www.iol.co.za
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