Miroslav Kostelka named as new Czech defense minister

PRAGUE (AFP) Jun 09, 2003
Miroslav Kostelka was on Monday named by President Vaclav Klaus as the Czech Republic's new defense minister, replacing Jaroslav Tvrdik who resigned last month.

Kostelka, 52, is a career soldier who left the army in May to serve as Tvrdik's deputy.

Tvrdik resigned from his post on May 30 in protest at budget cuts announced by the centre-left government which he said would make vital reform of the armed forces impossible.

Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla said Monday after Kostelka's appointment that the reform of the armed forces would go ahead but within the limits set by a three-year plan to reduce public spending.

He said that as former deputy to the chief of the staff of the Czech army and military attache to Canada, Kostelka was sure to enjoy the support of the military.

Kostelka is not a member of any political party.

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