AlQa'dah 16, 1434, Sep 22, 2013, SPA -- For the third time in almost a quarter-century, neutral Switzerland is voting on a proposal to abolish mandatory service in its army, AP reported. Surveys indicate it is likely to be defeated again, with more than two-thirds of the country still favoring mandatory service for most men between the ages of 18 to 34. Women can serve voluntarily. The Swiss government has urged voters to retain the service- counter to what most Western European nations have done since the Cold War. About 20,000 soldiers a year attend basic training for 18 to 21 weeks.
