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As part of the worldwide protests against a possible war on Iraq, two antiwar protests occurred in Prague on Saturday. One was organised by the student group Initiative Against War and took place on Jan Palach Square, while the other was staged by the Communist Party on Wenceslas Square. Only around 1,500 people participated in these protests, which is relatively low when compared to the turnout for other antiwar demonstrations around the world this weekend.

At the same time demonstrations were taking place on Saturday, the Czech and Slovak defence ministers signed an agreement on a joint Czech-Slovak anti-chemical unit which will start operating in Kuwait on March 1.

Amid a deep crisis in NATO over plans to protect Turkey in the event of a US-led war on Iraq, the Czech Republic has expressed support for the United States and Great Britain, pledging military assistance to Turkey. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla announced the Czech Republic would back its NATO ally in case of an attack by Iraq.

Uncertainty over what is going to happen in Iraq has been stealing headlines around the world. The debate heated on Monday when France, Germany, and Belgium failed to support an action within NATO which would have seen troops sent to defend Turkish territory in the event of war. Now the division over what to do in Iraq is ever clearer, with the United States facing opposition at almost every turn. The Czech Republic has promised the United States assistance and the parliament agreed to send an elite anti-chemical unit to Kuwait. However, both

The minister of defence, Jaroslav Tvrdik, has begun a visit to Czech troops based in Kosovo and Kuwait. Mr Tvrdik began the trip a day after the approval of a government resolution allowing for Czech anti-chemical warfare forces based in Kuwait to be reinforced and deployed in a possible war against Iraq. Over 100 soldiers are to be sent to Kuwait at the end of January, bringing the total number of Czech soldiers in the Persian Gulf to over 350.

There is little question now that the Czech Republic will try and assist the US if it comes to a ground war against Iraq. On Monday the Czech cabinet, joined by outgoing Czech President Vaclav Havel, met in a four hour session to decide it would try and meet a US request asking for the use of the Czech Republic's elite chemicals detection unit, as well the use of Czech airspace and territory, for the stationing of US troops - if it comes to war.

The Czech government announced on Wednesday evening that Washington had formally asked for support in any military action against Iraq. Following a three-hour meeting of the National Security Council, Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla said the cabinet would discuss the request in detail next week before presenting it to parliament for approval.

The Czech Army command has said there will be no change in the number of Czech soldiers working for NATO's political and military structures in 2003. A spokesman said approximately 150 Czech military officers would be serving in NATO's command facilities in Europe and the United States. Czech officers will also continue to serve at the headquarters of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom in Florida.

Only one day remains until the end of 2002, a year which has brought events both good and not so positive for the Czech Republic. In August, devastating floods hit parts of the country causing damage worth tens of billions of crowns. In November the Czech Republic hosted a historic NATO summit during which the Alliance invited seven East European states, and a month later, the country was invited to join the European Union, together with nine other countries, at the EU summit in Copenhagen. And what can the Czech Republic expect in 2003, after

A new opinion poll released on Wednesday shows that more than 60 percent of the Czech public support their country's entry to the European Union and are satisfied with NATO membership. The poll, carried out by the STEM agency in November, found that 64 percent of Czechs would vote for joining the EU in a referendum, while 68 percent supported NATO membership. The Czech Republic was admitted to NATO in March 1999, together with Poland and Hungary, and is among the 10 leading candidates for EU membership.