Czech Defence Minister awards soldiers serving in Afghanistan

Two soldiers received the Cross of State Defence and another eight the Defence Minister´s Cross of Merit.

All decorated soldiers were also presented with Medal for Service in Combat Mission.

The soldiers served in Afghanistan for six months last year. They participated in the fight against Taliban militants within the Enduring Freedom Operation, in reconnaissance activities and medical treatment of local people.

The fifth contingent will not be replaced in Asia this year by any combat unit as the Chamber of Deputies rejected the proposal for sending a unit to Afghanistan by the votes of left-wing deputies, the Social Democrats (CSSD) and the Communists (KSCM), who are opposed to Czech soldiers participation in combat operations in Afghanistan.

Under the plan of foreign missions for this year only 20 soldiers from the 601st special forces group will serve in Afghanistan guarding the Czech embassy in Kabul.

Further participation of a special forces unit in combat operations will probably be possible in mid-2011.

The Czech Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) stationed in the Logar province, a helicopter unit stationed on the Sharana base in Paktika province and soldiers from the 3rd army contingent serving at KAIA airport in Kabul will operate in Afghanistan this year.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz