Czech Senate Votes To Boost Afghan Troop Levels
By JULIAN HALE
Published: 28 Jan 13:03 EST (18:03 GMT)
PRAGUE - The Czech Senate voted Jan. 28 to increase the maximum number of troops serving in the NATO ISAF mission in Afghanistan to 480 from 415. The deployment is expected to start in late spring or early summer.
The government's original proposal of 645 troops was rejected by the lower chamber of parliament. The government coalition has 101 seats out of 200 in that chamber. The proposal now heads to the lower chamber, where a vote will take place Feb. 3.
The breakdown of troops is as follows:
Kabul Airport, 1st half of year, 55, 2nd half, 55; Logar province, 1st half, 275, 2nd half, 275; the town of Sharan, helicopter unit, 2nd half only, 110; Uruzghan province, 1st half only, 80; Arthur weapon-locating system, 1st half, 40, 2nd half, 40.
In addition, 100 special operations troops will be sent to Afghanistan for operation Enduring Freedom for counterterrorism operations.
The Senate also agreed to maintain the existing contingent of 430 Czech troops in Kosovo as part of NATO's KFOR mission.
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