Insight Central Europe News

Poland was 'misled' over Iraq WMD

Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski has said his country was misled about the alleged threat from Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. However, he has also defended the decision to go to war in Iraq and says he had no plans to withdraw Polish soldiers. Poland was a strong supporter of the US-led invasion and has the fourth-largest contingent of occupying troops. However, some polls suggest public support for Poland's role in Iraq has now dropped to 35%.

Hungary's defence minister postpones visit to troops in Iraq

Hungary's Defence Minister has postponed a visit to Hungarian troops serving in Iraq because of security concerns. The visit had been scheduled for Wednesday. Hungary sent 300 troops to Iraq last September as part of the international stabilization force under Polish command. The government said earlier this week that it is not considering withdrawing its troops from Iraq in the wake of the attacks in Spain last week.

Slovak peacekeeper injured during clashes in Kosovo

A Slovak member of the Czech-Slovak battalion in the KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo has been injured in the latest outbreak of violence. The soldiers had been trying to mediate between Serbian and Albanian mobs who were looting and burning the houses near the regional capital of Pristina. The joint Czech-Slovak battalion is responsible for the northeast portion of Kosovo, primarily its border with Serbia

Slovene anti-globalists paint bomb World Bank head

Anti-globalism activists have attacked the head of the World Bank and Slovenia's finance minister with paint bombs. World Bank head, James Woldensohn, was in the Slovene capital Ljubljana, to mark the country's upgrade in status within the World Bank from a borrower to a donor country.

European Commission warns Czech agriculture not fully prepared for membership

The European Commission has reportedly warned that Czech farmers may not receive EU subsidies after the country joins the European Union unless it fulfils certain conditions. According to local media reports, the commission has sent a letter sent to the Czech government, threatening it with 'serious consequences' should the Czechs fail to have an official disbursement agency set up by May 1. The agency is necessary to handle subsidies to Czech farmers from EU funds.