Czechs to stay only at one base in Iraq for safety reasons

[Barrett808]

PRAGUE- Czech military policemen in Iraq will from now on operate only at the Shaiba miliary base in southern Iraq for safety reasons, Roman Gottfried, commander of the 8th contingent, said.

So far Czech military police have been training Iraqi policemen at the police academy in Az Zubair near the border with Kuwait as well, but the school will move to Shaiba to prevent soldiers from driving on dangerous roads.

"The decision was made on the basis of the situation assessment. We expect the lower number of transfers to decrease risks," Gottfried said.

The previous contingents had to be careful during their transfers to the police academy situated eight kilometres from the base, since Iraqi roads are the most frequent target of armed attacks.

About 100 Czech military policemen, who will replace the 7th contingent at the Shaiba base for another three months, lined up in Prague on Vitkov Hill on Friday.

Chief of the military staff Pavel Stefka pointed to the critical situation in Iraq. "Our main target will be to keep the high professional level of the training under exceptionally stressing conditions," Stefka said.

(more)

http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=148494

[rodeodance]

1. I think most troops from all countries-including the US are honkered

down in Irag. What a way to fight a war.