Internet, help line to improve soldiers’ lot
Border army units will soon be equipped with Internet-linked computers as part of a new program to improve the lot of thousands of national servicemen, Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday. The pilot program started in January and also plans for traditional conscript chores such as cleaning, cookhouse and latrine duties to be contracted out to private enterprises. Papantoniou said this will initially apply to 19 training camps, and will be extended to include 30.5 percent of national servicemen by the end of 2003. «We want to relieve the armed forces of such tasks,» he said. «Personnel will thus have much more time to devote to their military duties.» By the end of this year, the minister said, 45 border units will have acquired computers with Internet access. Conscripts nearing the end of their service will be offered on-line job opportunities, while a free phone hot line will be set up to offer counseling to servicemen.
