Cablegate: Czech Republic - 2006 Country Reports On Terrorism
VZCZCXRO6515
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA
RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHPG #1521 3491453
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 151453Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8367
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEILB/NCTC WASHINGTON DC
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
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