Czech soldier on life in Iraq

Two years after the invasion of Iraq the main emphasis of the allied forces is on bringing about law and order. The Czech force in Iraq's main role has been to train local police officers. Another hundred Czech replacement soldiers flew to Iraq last Wednesday.

Czech military police, photo: CTK

It is not the first duty in the war zone for Stanislav Rimkevic. A 24 year-old member of the Czech military police, he is returning to Iraq for the second time after six months at home. Back in Shajbah, a British army base 100 kilometres from Basra, he is going to continue training new Iraqi police. Stanislav's feelings just 12 hours before boarding a plane were rather mixed. The next three months in Iraq can bring many, many experiences, yet it is too far from the safety of home.

"I think I am a bit confused. There are a lot of things I am going to miss but on the other hand there are many things, which are interesting in Iraq. It is a nice feeling when students listen to you and they know what they should do in certain situation, once the lesson is over."

Iraqis students come to the Police Academy every day. They learn about democracy, human rights and are also taught an essential skill - how to shoot and handle a gun. Two weeks after the beginning of the course civilians who had never used a gun before and knew next to nothing about democracy, become policemen who can help keep the peace in Iraq.

Iraq, photo: CTK

"We speak about democracy here in Europe. We ask students what they think about it. We ask them what rights they had during Saddam's Hussein's regime and then we confront it with democracy. At the end they know that democracy is better than Hussein's regime. Most of their questions are about rights of women here in Europe."

Iraqi trainees are carefully chosen by British soldiers and guarded especially at the base's shooting range. Security is of the utmost importance. All soldiers wear bullet proof vests and are not allowed to leave the base. Iraq is still perceived as a very dangerous country.

"I must admit that there were maybe dangerous situations but I never thought my life was in a danger. Sometimes there are dangerous situations but not as dangerous as people see on the television. The media want to show the violent side of Iraq because it is more interesting for viewers. Most dangerous situation happened at the police academy. We came there, prepared our lessons when suddenly a suicide bomber blew himself up in front of the main gate of Police Academy. "

Czech military police, photo: CTK

Stanislav thinks there is no way to avoid a suicide bomber. By the time he would get close enough to reveal his intentions it would be too late to take any precautions. And how did his nearest and dearest accept his decision to return back to Iraq? Stanislav says about his mother.

"Each time I try to explain to her that my work there is important and that I like my work. She must understand. It is a part of my job to be where I am needed."

Stanislav's group of Czech soldiers will finish their duty in Iraq in June.