Czechs to Join Peacekeeping, Humanitarian Mission in Afghanistan

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, December 13, 2001

Czechs to Join Peacekeeping, Humanitarian Mission in Afghanistan

The Czech government unanimously agreed to send troops to take part in a possible peacekeeping and humanitarian mission in Afghanistan, Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman said on Wednesday.

The Czech government unanimously agreed to send troops to take part in a possible peacekeeping and humanitarian mission in Afghanistan, Czech Prime Minister Milos Zeman said on Wednesday.

Speaking after a special cabinet meeting, Zeman said his country is ready to provide NATO forces an anti-chemical unit, a field hospital and another 120-150 soldiers from special forces.

However, Zeman did not specify when the Czech troops would leave for Afghanistan. Local media predicted that this might be in early January.

The deployment will be on the agenda of the sessions of both houses of Czech parliament next Wednesday. Under the Czech constitution, if the stay of Czech troops abroad exceeds 60 days, it must be approved by the parliament.

U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic Craig Stapleton asked to send an anti-chemical warfare troop to join in the United States- led war against terrorism in early November.

The Czech Republic has repeated its willingness to participate in the fight against terrorism since the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

Recently the country provided NATO forces with a TU-154 cargo- transport plane for transfer of material and personnel within Europe.

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