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Czech gov't agrees to allow U.S. army convoy to cross its territory

Xinhua, March 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka on Monday said that the Czech government had agreed to allow an U.S. military convoy to pass across Czech territory.

He said the decision would express solidarity and confirm commitments towards partners from NATO.

A convoy of nearly 120 vehicles on the way from Baltic countries to Germany will pass six countries of Central and Eastern Europe. It will be in the Czech Republic between March 29 and April 1.

At a press conference after a cabinet's meeting, Czech Defense Minister Martin Stropnicky said that the convoy would consist of 516 people and 118 vehicles. It will cross the Czech Republic on three routes that will unite in Prague-Ruzyne, and from there carry on to the army base in Bavaria Vilseck, Germany, 65 km from the Czech border.

Stropnicky said that Czech police, military police and customs officers will assist during the convoy's transfer. The Defense Ministry has set up a working group to help coordinate the transfer.

He said the Czech military will also provide the convoy with fuel. All costs will be covered by the United States.

The U.S. units and military vehicles will be returning from an exercise within the Atlantic Resolve operation. The convoy will move from Estonia, Lithuania and Poland, through Latvia and the Czech Republic to the military base in Germany. Endit