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UK offers Nepalese Gurkha troops citizenship

The UK has extended full citizenship rights to Gurkha soldiers from Nepal who serve in the British armed forces, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said yesterday.

"The Gurkhas have served this country with great skill, courage and dignity during some of the most testing times in our history," Blair said.

"They have made an enormous contribution not just to our armed forces but to the life of this country, and it is important their commitment and sacrifice is recognized," he said.

Gurkhas and their supporters have been trying for three years to publicly shame the British government with the charge it treats these soldiers as good enough to die for the UK, but not good enough to become citizens.

The announcement that most Gurkha soldiers have won the right to become British citizens follows an 18-month review by Britain's Home Office and the Foreign Office.

Gurkhas said they could not wholeheartedly welcome the move because the new provision will apply only to those who were discharged from the forces after July 1, 1997, meaning that around 100 of the estimated 400 Gurkhas currently resident in the UK will not be eligible.

Gurkhas have served in the British army since 1815, with 3,600 now serving in the UK and overseas, but very few had been granted the right to British citizenship.

Most Gurkhas return to Nepal -- which is currently in the midst of a Maoist insurgency -- at the end of their service.

Major Tikendradal Dewan, chairman of the Brigade of Gurkhas Welfare Society, said: "This is extremely good news in a way, but it is not a 100 percent celebration because of the cut-off date."

"It's difficult to rejoice at the news when we know that something like a quarter of the guys will not benefit from it. What will happen to them? Will they be deported?" he asked.
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