PM: UN failure could impact humanitarian and development aid

The recent failure by the Czech Republic to secure a non-permanent UN Security Council post could impact humanitarian and development aid by the Czech Republic in the future. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek told journalists on Monday that the government might have to reassess some projects, based on the recent results. Prague withdrew its candidacy for the council post after the country lost ground in two rounds of voting. The post was eventually won by Croatia. The opposition has blamed the Czech government for the failure. Meanwhile, last year alone the Czech Republic spent 3.6 billion crowns in foreign development aid, to countries like Angola, Montenegro, Vietnam, Zambia and many others. Afghanistan and Iraq are also top priorities. Mr Topolanek said Croatia had been underestimated and he pointed to "insufficient" intelligence work on the part of Czech diplomatic offices.

Author: Jan Velinger