New soldiers make pledge, eight new generals sworn in

Over 200 new professional soldiers made their pledge of allegiance at Prague Castle, where later President Klaus promoted eight Czech Army officers to the rank of general.

But one man who was not given a higher rank was police chief Vladislav Husak: the prime minister had asked the president not to promote him after a recent incident in which a government official was beaten by a police officer during a demonstration.

Author: Ian Willoughby