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December 27, 2000

There is a movement in Europe, supported by prominent politicians, to allow the disabled to serve in the armed forces. Pointing out that many military jobs are little different from civilians ones, and that in the past soldiers missing limbs or an eye continued to serve effectively, the movement is gaining momentum. Professional soldiers reply that all troops are liable for field service and that disabled soldiers in the past were men of exceptional ability who were injured in service. Having already proved their ability, it was not too difficult to allow these men to continue with artificial limbs or one eye. But allowing the disabled to join would simply restrict the pool of troops available for service in a battle zone.