- LONDON (AFP) -- Britain will
begin calling upon reservists for possible military action against Iraq
within ten days, according to a report in a British newspaper published
Sunday.
-
- Around 1,000 reserve troops will receive their call-up
papers by the end of the month, The Sunday Telegraph said.
-
- "We've got to move on this by the end of the month
to keep to the timetable," the weekly broadsheet quoted a senior defence
ministry official as saying.
-
- Civilian employers of reservists' need some two months
notice to arrange cover, the paper said, adding that most of the part-time
soldiers were likely to be specialist staff needed to supplement the army's
under-strength medical service. The army is said to be particularly short
of surgeons and anaesthetists.
-
- Responding to the report, a defence ministry spokeswoman
said "no decisions" had been taken to mobilise reservists.
-
- British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw made it clear Friday
that Britain and the United States were prepared to take military action
against Iraq, even without a new UN resolution, if Baghdad refuses to allow
arms inspections.
-
- "We reserve the right to act within international
law in respect of the use of force, which may or may not be covered by
a new resolution," Straw told the BBC.
-
- He added: "It is entirely appropriate for America,
as for us, to reserve their position if the UN does not meet its responsibilities."
-
- Straw stressed that Britain was "completely committed
to a United Nations route -- if that is successful."
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