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Thu 11 Nov 2002Army chief warns of effect on troops of long fire strikeBRITAIN: Britain's s threatened eight-day fire strike remained on last night as the chief of the defence staff warned that a protracted dispute could seriously undermine the country's military effectiveness.Sir Michael Boyce issued his warning as the Defence Secretary, Mr Geoff Hoon, confirmed the United States has formally requested British military help in its contingency planning for any possible war with Iraq.