Draft may extend to females
The possibility of women serving in the military as well as men becoming conscripts at the age of 18 is being discussed by the government and the armed forces, Defense Minister Evangelos Meimarakis confirmed yesterday. Meimarakis indicated that discussions about women being drafted are at an advanced stage. «It is an idea we will be discussing with the interior minister, with KYSEA (the Government Council on Foreign Policy and Defense) and within the Inner Cabinet,» said Meimarakis. The former armed forces chief General Giorgos Antonakopoulos raised the issue of women conscripts at the beginning of 2005 but the government was not keen on the idea at the time. The government is also keen to explore further the idea of forcing men to carry out their military service when they are 18 as this would ensure there are fewer draft dodgers. Meimarakis said that each year, some 30,000 conscripts defer their military service or are excused for medical or family reasons.
