The Czechs still do not agree on their foreign missions
Important negotiations take place between the
Czech government and its social democratic opposition, in an attempt to reach an agreement on the participation of the Czech army in the multinational operations of NATO, the EU and
the UN (see previous post). The Liberal government, which had planned to discuss the issue, postponed the debate for a
week. Prime Minister Topolanek, Defense Minister Parkanova and Chief of Staff Picek are due to discuss it with Opposition Leader Jiri Paroubek these days.
A draft compromise was put on the table limiting the number of soldiers in Afghanistan to 450 for the first half of 2009 and 480 for the second half (against 645 in the
original project, i.e. almost no increase), 100 men also remaining within the framework of operation "Enduring freedom" under American command. Participation in the mission of
NATO in Iraq (5 instructors dedicated to training the Iraqi army) would be stopped. On the other hand, the engagement in Kosovo would be fully maintained: 430 men from the unit
mechanized infantry could thus continue their mission within the framework of the Multinational Unit Center (alongside the elements of Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Latvia and Slovakia),
with a company of 120 men as reinforcements (in the Czech Republic). Ditto for the other missions (see below). These external missions would cost the Czech budget 2,28
billion crowns (about 80 million euros).
L'social democratic opposition seems to still want some concessions, or counterparts on other subjects such as: the gentleman's agreement on the European presidency
(still under discussion), the anti-missile shield or the Lisbon Treaty. But an agreement now seems within reach. This would prevent the government - but also the Republic
Czech Republic an international slap in the face: having to repatriate its troops on March 1 (for the first two months of the year, the government passed by decree, as authorized by the
Constitution, a two-month extension).
Other missions of the Czech Republic planned for 2009 :
- three officers in the two staffs (OHQ and FHQ) of Eufor Tchad RCA (until March 2009)
- surveillance of the airspace of the Baltic countries (NATO mission) from May to August 2009, with 4 Jas-39 Gripen fighter planes and 75 men based in Šiaulai (in Lithuania).
- placing an NRBC unit (nuclear, radiobacteriological, chemical) on alert for NATO's rapid reaction force (NRF), in the first half of 2009.
- placing 1800 men on alert as part of the EU Battle Group (with Slovakia) in the second half of 2009, .
- new participation in the Multinational Force of Observers (MFO) in charge of monitoring the Camp David agreements between Egypt-Israel in the Sinai and continuation of the others
UN missions (MONUC - Congo, MONUG - Georgia - UNMIL - Liberia).
(Photo: Czech army, participation in Kfor in Kosovo)