Last Czech army conscripts called up as army goes professional

PRAGUE (AFP) Mar 31, 2004
The last Czech conscripts obliged to do military service before the army becomes fully professional next year have been called up, army sources said on Wednesday.

The end of compulsory military service this year is part of a major reform of the Czech army. Under a new directive approved by the Czech government in February, the last conscripts will complete their service in December after nine months instead of the previous one-year term.

Army bosses had expected 1,150 people to join up on Tuesday, but in the end just 878 registered, with the rest seeking exemption or postponement on grounds of education, illness or their physical condition.

Last year, 1,712 recruits underwent compulsory military service.

As part of the reforms aimed at making the Czech army fully professional numbers have shrunk from just over 61,000 in 2002 to 44,000. By 2008 that figure will fall to 35,000, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Dozens of bases were shut last year with further closures planned.

The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 along with Poland and Hungary.

The government retains the right to reintroduce compulsory military service in future if necessary.

WAR.WIRE