Public opinion divided as the Czech parliament approves a bill which could see troops involved in a possible war with Iraq
The lower house of parliament has approved the deployment of the Czech army's biochemical warfare detection unit to join a possible war with Iraq. The unit, which participated in the 1991 Gulf War, has been training in Kuwait over the past year with the United States. The approval of the government bill means that the Czech Republic would only join a possible war with Iraq if it is supported by a United Nations mandate. Without the support of the United Nations the unit would only be allowed to provide civilian and military assistance in the event that Iraq uses chemical or nuclear weapons. As the possibility of war with Iraq increases, attitudes in the Czech Republic, as in the rest of Europe, are becoming increasingly divided. My colleague Martin Hrobsky hit the streets of Prague to ask people if they think the Czech Republic should join the United States in a possible war against Iraq.
"Ya, I think so. Because it would be some chemical help, some team. I think if we can do anything for the people there, to help them, I think it's good so I agree with this."
"I don't know. I think that the United States is wrong with their attitude towards Iraq. Because there are many countries that have dictators in their government and the United States are concerned only with Iraq, I don't understand it."
"I don't think so, because actually we don't see what is behind the war. Because the United States has many economical reasons as to why they go to war in Iraq but we don't."
"Only if the United Nations will agree with it."
