NICOSIA Ñ Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has offered his citizens the option to escape military service for $1,000.

The offer, discussed during a Cabinet meeting over the weekend, would allow Iraqis abroad to pay $1,000 to avoid a military call-up according to the Iraqi News Agency. The money would also allow Iraqis to avoid military basic training.

The new directive was ordered by Saddam on late Friday in a meeting meant to encourage Iraqis abroad to return home even if they had evaded military service. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis are believed to have left for Europe and the United States over the last few years.

Saddam has held meetings with defense chiefs over the last two months to prepare for a U.S. military attack, Arab diplomats said. Last week, Iraq issued its broadest hint that it possesses nuclear weapons.

Iraqi military service includes compulsory training as well as deployment. The military is believed to have expanded over the last year and has been provided with upgraded equipment supplied from China and the former Soviet Union.

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