Chances minimal for increased Afghan mission: Foreign Minister

Separately, Mr. Kohout said there was a minimal chance of the Czech contingent in Afghanistan being increased before the summer. The government wants to increase the current contingent numbering 535 but has not been able to win approval from the lower house of parliament. Left-wing parties are mostly opposed to the move. Current conditions in the lower house did not favour a proposal being made to boost the contingent by a further 55, Mr. Kohout explained. The government had been mulling changing the format and mission of the extra forces to make them more acceptable. Afghanistan was one of the main themes when US President Barack Obama met with leaders from Central Europe during his Prague visit on April 8.