Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Czech Republic: More Troops on Missions Abroad

Czech Republic: More Troops on Missions Abroad (NSI News Source Info) PRAGUE, Czech Republic - October 2, 2008: The Czech government announced on Oct. 1 a decision to boost military missions abroad, including in Kosovo and Afghanistan. Under the proposal, subject to approval by the parliament, the total number of soldiers on such missions could grow to 1,386 in 2009 from about 900 this year. The defense ministry is planning to earmark about 2.4 billion koruna ($137 million) for this purpose, according to CTK news agency. "We are gradually withdrawing from Iraq. We will take part in two big missions - in Kosovo and Afghanistan," Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said after a government meeting in Prague. The government especially wants to bolster the provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in the Logar province in eastern Afghanistan, Deputy Defence Minister Martin Bartak added. Earlier on Oct. 1, seven Czech soldiers suffered injuries in a grenade attack near the Shank base in the province, according to Czech military sources quoted by CTK. One man was taken to the U.S. field hospital in Bagram, while none of the soldiers were in a life-threatening condition. Two Czech soldiers with the U.S.-led force helping to fight insurgents in Afghanistan have been killed this year, and 14 have been injured.

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