Iraq President Begins European Tour

President Talabani (file photo) 3 October 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Iraq's President Jalal Talabani is due to arrive in the Czech Republic today at the start of a European tour.

During his two-day visit, Talabani will meet in Prague with President Vaclav Klaus, Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek, and other senior officials.

The Czech CTK news agency says Talabani is expected to urge greater Czech involvement in Iraq. Earlier this year, Iraqi ambassador to Prague Dhia Mahmud Dabas said that Iraq has had historical relations with the Czech Republic and wanted to continue to develop bilateral economic cooperation.

Iraqi police, diplomats, and judges are currently receiving training in the Czech Republic and in Iraq, there is a Czech contingent of military police.

(CTK/AFP)