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The main stories on today's front pages are the government's decision to send Czech troops to a possible war against Iraq and the upcoming presidential elections in the Czech Republic. All major papers show a photo of Vaclav Havel carrying a bouquet of flowers he was given at yesterday's government meeting - most likely the last one Mr Havel ever attended.

Teary farewells are shown strongly on the front pages of most of Monday's Czech dailies: American soldiers saying goodbye to their families as they prepare to ship out to the Persian Gulf in preparation for possible war against Iraq. LIDOVE NOVINY features a sergeant kissing his wife, their young son distraught. The papers write that the US is sending an additional 62, 000 soldiers into the region, strengthening the number of troops on the ground. Meanwhile, in the Czech Republic the growing possibility of war has led President Vaclav Havel to

The main stories in today's papers are the possibility of Czech Army units joining US forces in a war against Iraq, the rising level of unemployment in the Czech Republic and the case of the Social Democratic presidential candidate Jaroslav Bures, who admitted he caused the death of a pedestrian twenty years ago.

Making the headlines in all of today's Czech dailies is Prime Minister Spidla's announcement that the US has asked for Czech support if America and her allies go to war with Iraq. According to Mr Spidla the US asked the Czech Republic to broaden its mandate for its nuclear, biological and chemical unit to be able to operate outside Kuwait, where it is currently stationed.

All of today's papers carry articles on the upcoming presidential elections. While the front pages of MLADA FRONTA DNES and LIDOVE NOVINY speculate on the past of the Social Democrats' presidential candidate Jaroslav Bures, PRAVO writes that the parliamentary parties are busy working behind the scenes to manipulate the complex voting system in their favour. And HOSPODARSKE NOVINY asks whether the next president should break the taboo, and include the Communist Party in his dialogue with parliamentary parties.

The front pages of all of the Czech dailies carry reports on Iraqi president Saddam Hussein's criticism of the United Nations weapons inspectors. But as far as Czech affairs are concerned, they all have a different emphasis.

There was more flood misery for the residents of north and west Bohemia this weekend, as swollen rivers in the region burst their banks. MLADA FRONTA DNES carries a front-page photo of the church and cemetery of St George in the village of Doubravce, transformed into an island surrounded by a sea of muddy brown water. Worse flooding was only averted when temperatures suddenly plunged below zero over the weekend.

Wild weather makes the front pages today - all the papers report on the threat of severe flooding, as rivers become swollen after several days of rain. Meanwhile blizzards in mountainous areas of the country are also causing problems for police and drivers alike.

All today's major newspapers lead with President Havel's traditional New Year's address to the Czech people, featuring photos of Mr Havel in his office reading the speech for 2003 as well all the others during his thirteen years as President. The papers also report on New Year's celebrations around the globe which were in some cities somewhat dampened down by the fear of terrorism.

Today's newspapers contain many reviews of this year's cultural, economic, political and sporting highlights, and also take a look at what the big events may be for next year. But while it is in vogue at this time of year to look at the past and the future, there is still the present, and today's major domestic news stories include the death of the popular actor Julius Satinsky and the icy weather conditions across the country.