(Updated May 10, 2008) Czech Prime Minister Miroslav Topolánek paid a surprise visit to Czech troops in Afghanistan to boost morale after one soldier was killed and four others injured in a bomb attack in the perilous Logar province, denik.cz reports.
"There is no more difficult decision for a prime minister than to send men and women into war," Topolánek said in a speech.
"I would never have signed off on such a decision if I weren't sure it made sense. I am constantly monitoring the situation here in detail, and I assure you that here in Logar, you will have all the support and technology you need."
About 100 Czech soldiers are stationed in the Afghan capital of Kabul, and another 200 are part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Logar Province – one of 26 such teams in the province.
The Logar unit is comprised of military and civilian sections. The core of the military contingent is made up of soldiers of the 102nd Reconnaissance Battalion. The mission of the Provincial Reconstruction Teams is to cooperate with civilian experts to reinforce safety and stability in the area, and to help the country recover from the ravages of war.
(Prague Post)
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