BRATISLAVA (SITA) - A soldier may refuse to take a military oath, but he is obliged to follow its provisions. He cannot be punished for not taking an oath, but once he is conscripted into the army, he has to keep all duties ensuing form the oath. The National Defense Act dictates that a serviceman must serve a 12-month compulsory military service in the armed forces, though he did not sign a military oath, František Kašický, a spokesman at the Defense Ministry explained this at a press conference on Wednesday. He was reacting to the case of soldier Peter Milo, who is serving his military service in Prešov. Milo refused to take a military oath for political reasons. Milo said he does not want to serve a state that abducts its citizens abroad, murdered Robert Remiáš, and cancels referendums. He stated he would fulfill all his military duties and take a military oath after the election when a democratic government is formed. Kašický explained that Milo's reasons have nothing to do with his duties towards the Slovak Army.