Over 100 Capital T.A. get call-up

PART-TIME paras from the Capital have been given their call-up papers for duty in the Gulf.

More than 100 reservists from the Capital’s Territorial Army 4 Para regiment have received their papers over the last two days.

Tradesmen, office workers and even a dentist are among those who have been asked to report for duty.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman today confirmed they had been called up saying: "Part-time soldiers with 4 Para in Edinburgh have received their papers in the last few days. They will provide support for any potential operation in the Middle East."

It is understood that the Territorial Army soldiers will report to their base in Lanark Road early next week.

From there they will travel to Nottingham, where they will receive specialised training, before setting off for the Middle East.

One Army source said that part-time

personnel from 4 Para in Edinburgh would be joining their part-time colleagues from Glasgow on Gulf duty.

The source added: "Members of 4 Para were briefed some time ago that they would be expected to carry out duties in the any operation in the Gulf. They are well trained and are fully aware that they could be called upon at any time to serve.

"They have received a high level of training and will be fit and ready to go."

Another Army source said that the Fife-based Scottish Transport Regiment was also set to be called up for duty.

The Ministry of Defence spokesman said that 4000 reservists from across the UK had been called up so far.

Despite cautions from Prime Minister Tony Blair and Lord Irvine that battle with Saddam Hussein was neither "imminent nor inevitable", moves to prepare regular troops and their part-time back-up for action suggest conflict is now expected.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has told the House of Commons that large numbers of the Territorial Army and the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force equivalent were to be called from their jobs for training.

Although he has not revealed precise numbers, he made clear that this was one of the biggest call-ups of the TA and its equivalent in history.

The reserves were heavily involved in the first Gulf war 12 years ago and in action in Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, Mr Hoon announced thousands of reservists would be called up to serve in the Gulf. He told MPs large numbers of the TA and the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force equivalent would be called for training.