Related articles
Press ReviewPress Review
Without question one of the most sobering headlines in today's dailies is
that featured by Mlada Fronta Dnes which reads "MPs to send soldiers
on most serious mission in 50 years - the hunt for Osama". Over a
hundred special forces troops from the region of Prostejov will soon find
themselves on the "front lines" in Afghanistan, helping to
root-out remaining Taliban or Al-Qaeda fighters. Mlada Fronta Dnes quotes
U.S. soldiers saying they are confident they are close to capturing the
world's most wanted man Osama bin Laden.
More
Current AffairsCzechs to serve in a military operation for the first time since WWII
The Chamber of Deputies' decision on Wednesday to send Czech military
personnel to Afghanistan is the first time that Czech soldiers have been
actively deployed in a combat zone since the 2nd World War. Czech Special
Forces will be sending more than 100 troops to aid in the US-led operation
"Enduring Freedom".
More
One on OneJanina Hrebickova - Eight intense months in Baghdad recalled
My guest today on One on One is somebody we've had on the programme before.
The last time we spoke to Janina Hrebickova she was just about to leave
for the Iraqi capital Baghdad, to head the Czech delegation at the United
States-led Coalition Provisional Authority. Ms Hrebickova decided to leave
Iraq at the end of last year and has been home in Prague for around a
month. When she came into our studio this week, I began by asking her what
she recalled of two of the worst attacks during her time in Baghdad: the
bombings of the United Nations headquarters in August and the Hotel Rashid
in October.
More
Current AffairsCzech government to send troops to counter al-Qaeda in Afghanistan
Czech troops have served in hot spots around the world before - taking part
in missions from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, to Bosnia, and of course
post-Saddam Iraq. In the past, such missions have involved peacekeeping,
humanitarian aid, and monitoring and prevention against the use of weapons
of mass destruction, operations that met with high degrees of success.
Now, following a government decision to meet NATO and U.S. requests for
help, Czech soldiers may embark on a new mission once again, this time in
Afghanistan. Not only to keep the peace, but to operate - for the first
time - on the country's 'front lines'.
More
Current AffairsNational Security Council approves new airport protection system
The National Security Council on Tuesday approved a new, much stricter
airport protection system which includes the possibility of armed guards
on board planes. Daniela Lazarova has been following the story and joins
me in the studio now. Daniela is this move in response to US demands for
there to be armed guards aboard all planes flying to the Unites States?
More
Press ReviewPress review
The European Commission's Monitoring Report on the candidate states is the
top story on all front pages with the papers featuring a list of the
European Commission's main objections. The general tone though is upbeat
with the papers commenting on how the Czech Republic had improved its
position in recent years. "Today's report is a very nice B plus"
reads the lead headline in Mlada Fronta Dnes.
More
Press ReviewPress Review
The front pages of all the daily newspapers feature two faces: the world's
most wanted terrorist Osama bin Laden sitting on a rock on a picture from
the latest videotape he sent the media, and ecstatic Czech football
striker Jan Koller, who scored one goal in a EURO 2004 qualifying match
with the Netherlands, helping his team win the game. According to HOSPODARSKE NOVINY, people were willing to pay many times the face value
of tickets for what is described as the match of the year.
More
Current AffairsSeptember 11 - two years after
Just two weeks before the second anniversary of the September 11 terrorist
attacks on the United States, a new video was released to the public
reminding it of the shocking developments in New York City when two
hijacked passenger planes were piloted into the World Trade Centre,
leaving it crumbling with over three thousand dead. The video was shot by
a Czech construction worker currently living in Queens, who unknowingly
recorded the event while trying out his new video camera. It was an event
that shook the whole world - psychologically but mainly economically. The
past two years have seen security measures tightened all around the globe.
The Czech Republic has spent billions of Czech crowns on its contribution
to the fight against terrorism, especially in Middle Eastern countries
such as Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Iraq. At home, security was increased
around military bases, airports, nuclear power plants, and key buildings
and institutions. Public and government calls to have the US-funded Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) headquarters moved from Prague's city
centre to a more remote location have also resulted in much debate. But
now, two years after the 9/11 attacks, the fear of terror appears to have
died down. RFE/RL will not be re-located for the time being due to a lack
of funds from the US Congress and even in the Big Apple, everything seems
to be back to "business as usual". Our correspondent Dean
Vuletic is in New York City:
More
+1
