WAR.WIRE
Slovakia to send military instructors to Iraq
BRATISLAVA (AFP) Jan 19, 2005
The Slovak government approved a plan Wednesday to extend its mission in Iraq to training police officers and soldiers, Defence Minister Juraj Liska said.

Slovakia, which is currently involved with demining operations in Iraq, is to start training Iraqi troops and police officers, sending two instructors to the country -- although the plans are still subject to parliamentary approval, Liska said.

Bratislava has also proposed that Iraqi personnel could be offered training in Slovakia, but Iraqi authorities have yet to respond, Liska added.

If approved by parliament, the soldiers would leave for Iraq before the end of Febriary.

Slovaki currently has 104 soldiers stationed in Iraq as part of the US-led multinational forces in the country.

In June three Slovak soldiers were killed while carrying out demining operations south of Baghdad.