Government wants to send more soldiers on foreign missions

The Czech government on Wednesday approved a plan which should see more Czech troops deployed in foreign missions in 2009. While the Czech Republic is gradually withdrawing its troops from Iraq, it plans to strengthen its military presence in Kosovo and Afghanistan. The now 200-strong reconstruction team in Logar is to have 330 members next year. Under the plan, for which the Defense Ministry has earmarked 24 billion crowns, the number of Czech soldiers serving in foreign missions should rise from the present 900 to 1386. The plan still needs to be approved by both houses of Parliament.