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Czechs extend mandate for troops in Iraq
PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The Czech parliament voted Thursday to extend the mandate for its troops in Iraq by two months, Czech Radio reports. The Czech Republic has around 100 military police in Iraq. Their mandate was originally set to expire at the end of December and has now been extended to Feb. 28, allowing them to remain in the country during elections scheduled to take place early next year. Unlike the Hungarians, the Czechs have not yet said whether the troops will be brought home after the elections have taken place.
On Wednesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany said he would pull his country's troops out of Iraq by the end of March. | That was the scheduled length of their commitment. |
Hungary has around 300 troops in Iraq, the second largest contingent from central and eastern Europe. Poland has the largest with 2,400 soldiers operating in Iraq. The Poles have hinted they would like to bring their troops home before the end of 2005.
Posted by: Steve 2004-11-04 |
