ČR not to join NATO military operation in Libya for now

Prague, March 22 (CTK) - The Czech Republic will not take part in NATO's military operations in Libya for now, Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra (Civic Democrats, ODS) told CTK yesterday, but hailed as an advantage NATO's forthcoming supervision of the operations, as a result of which they will have a clear command.

Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg (TOP 09) voiced a similar opinion in the lower house when he and Vondra informed deputies about the Czech position on the situation in Libya.

NATO yesterday agreed on joining the actions against Muammar Gaddafi's regime on the basis of the U.N. Security Council's resolution. For the time being, NATO will take part in enforcing the arms embargo on Libya. The operation is to start in 24 hours.

"We stick to our rather reserved position. Our military forces definitely will not take part in this phase, but we are glad that it is under the NATO supervision and command. After all, we'll have more information, I suppose," Vondra told CTK.

Schwarzenberg, too, said it is better if the armed action is taken under the command and supervision of the whole NATO.

"It is more reasonable than an action taken by individual countries that are accountable to their own commands and their politicians only, and so they feel more tempted to violate the framework set by the U.N.S.C. and other directives," Schwarzenberg said.

"Let's hope that the operation will be finished soon, under the full control of NATO," he added.

The Czech senior opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) yesterday pushed through a debate in the lower house on whether and how Prague should join the Libyan operation.

Deputies discussed the situation with Vondra and Schwarzenberg yesterday on the proposal of lower house and CSSD deputy chairman Lubomir Zaoralek.

Zaoralek recalled Vondra's previous words that Prague is considering sending the Czech chemical warfare unit to Libya, if need be.

Vondra said the chemical unit's deployment is a mere theoretical speculation now.

"The situation would have to require it and someone would have to ask us for it. Third, such a unit would have to operate within a formation enjoying a mandate. There is no such mandate, no one is calling for it, nor does the situation in Libya require it, fortunately," Vondra said.

The only possible Czech involvement is the Czech crew's participation in the operation of NATO's monitoring aircraft AWACS. One Czech pilot and probably two technicians are part of the AWACS staff, Vondra said.

He repeated that the Czech Republic is ready to join possible subsequent humanitarian aid to Libya.

"Mainly transport capacities and supplies of necessary items would be provided, but neither in this case are we in a situation where this was required from us," Vondra said.

He said it is good that the operation in Libya will finally have a clear command. "The Alliance has relevant experience, capability and capacity. I hope that the embarrassing impression from the past days will dissipate, as then it was really not known who was in command in the given moment," Vondra said.

NATO is also considering joining the enforcement of the no-fly zone over Libya, but this issue is more sensitive and consensus on it more difficult. Mainly Turkey has been opposed to the proposal.

A coalition of several states, including some NATO members such as the USA and France, have been intervening in Libya for several days now.

Zaoralek yesterday said he would not like the Czech debate to focus on Libya only. "In Bahrain, the situation is also tense, a democratic uprising has flared up there, but we approach it differently [than Libya's]," Zaoralek said.

Zaoralek pointed out that the Libyan operation's outcome is uncertain and that Libya may become an unstable state like Somalia and other countries became in the past. At the same time, however, it was difficult for the international community to bear responsibility for not intervening in Libya, Zaoralek said.

Opposition Communists (KSCM) head Vojtech Filip criticised the government for allegedly backpedalling on its previous reserved position on the intervention in Libya and for supporting NATO's joining the military operation.

"We will become part of the attacking forces without having a single soldier in the Libyan operation. This has no foreign political, economic or internationally political effect for us," Filip said.