- Almost one-third of Afghanistan's nascent national army
has deserted after completing training by instructors from the United States,
France and Britain.
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- The Afghan National Army currently boasts about 10,000
troops.
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- That number was already dwarfed by the 100,000 or so
militia members loyal to warlords around the country.
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- The Afghan army has been charged with the responsibility
of disarming, demobilising and reintegrating the militia men.
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- But after receiving about $65 a month during training,
3,000 Afghan army recruits have deserted.
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- Afghanistan's Defence Ministry has announced that the
deserters will have to rejoin the army or otherwise pay for the expenses
of their training.
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- © 2004 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
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- http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s1023836.htm
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