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Czech Republic: Army reform and Iraq support

01 May 2003

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The Defence Minister, Miroslav Kostelka, has announced cuts and reforms in the Czech army. The parliament has already passed a motion to abolish compulsory conscription and introduce a professional army (now set to be implemented by the end of 2006). The current 64,000 strong force will be reduced to 23,000 professional soldiers and 7,000 civil employees. Jaroslav Tvrdik, Kostelka's predecessor, resigned in June in protest at the planned cuts. The country will also borrow supersonic jets in future to guard its airspace as well as sending 400 soldiers and military and medical officers to serve with the multinational force, led by Britain, in southern Iraq.

Guardian 2.7.03; Jungle World 16.7.03

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