The Czech government wants to extend the mandate of its 100-strong contingent of military police in Iraq, an official said Sunday. Defense Minister Karel Khuenl said in a live television debate his government wants the contingent's mandate, which expires Dec. 31, extended by two months. The Czech military police are training Iraqi officers near Basra. The extension of their mandate, however, requires parliamentary approval, which is uncertain. Khuenl also did not rule out training Iraqi officers on Czech territory after the contingent's mandate expires, and he suggested the Czech government could also offer material assistance to the Iraqi military. ``We could have a look at what we have and don't need here and send it over to Iraq,'' he said. ``The message I hear is clear: We have enough people, what we need is training and equipment.'' Speaking from Baghdad, Iraqi Minister of Culture Mufeed al-Jazaeri praised the Czech government's plans but said his country may ask for more aid from it after Iraqi elections scheduled for January. ``There are many fields where the Czech Republic can help, such as restoration of our damaged historic monuments,'' al-Jazaeri said.
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