CZECH REPUBLIC - 2006 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001521 SIPDIS SIPDIS S/CT - Rhonda Shore and NCTC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC EFIN KCRM KPAO PTER KHLS AEMR EZ SUBJECT: CZECH REPUBLIC - 2006 COUNTRY REPORTS ON TERRORISM REF: STATE 175925 ¶1. The U.S. Government has engaged with Czech authorities proactively, responsively and effectively across the entire spectrum of security, law enforcement and military cooperation as part of the world-wide fight against international terrorism. Whether it is cooperating on a myriad of issues related to the protection of the Prague headquarters of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and other U.S. facilities, providing military assistance in Iraq and Afghanistan, or cooperating in routine investigations, the Czech Republic has consistently been a robust partner in preventing possible terrorist activity. ¶2. The Czech Republic contributed troops to Coalition efforts in Iraq and at the end of 2006 had 101 soldiers in Iraq. In addition, the Czechs contributed 148 troops to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, and 120 special forces troops under Operation Enduring Freedom in 2006. In 2007, the Czechs have approved the continued deployment in Iraq of 100 personnel, and have increased the deployment to Afghanistan to 225 personnel. It continues to plan for possible additional commitments in Afghanistan. ¶3. Pursuant to a U.S. arrest warrant and INTERPOL Red Notice, Czech authorities in December 2005 arrested Oussama Kassir, a Lebanese-born Swedish national, while he was in transit from Stockholm to Lebanon. Kassir is wanted in the United States on allegations that he had conspired to provide material support to terrorists in the planned establishment of a terrorist training camp in Bly, Oregon. In June, a hearing was held to consider the extradition. At the end of 2006, Kassir remained in Czech custody pending continued consideration of the U.S. extradition request. ¶4. Embassy Point of Contact is Political Officer Christian Marchant. Address: U.S. Embassy Prague, Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague 1, Czech Republic; e-mail: marchantcm@state.gov; telephone: (420) 257 022 313 GRABER