Czech general resigns over Afghan scandal

18 Dec, 2009

Defence Ministry says a top military commander who was in charge of foreign missions has resigned from his post and the armed forces. The resignation of deputy military chief of general staff Major General Jiri Halaska was announced Thursday. It comes a month after Defence Minister Martin Bartak fired two servicemen for wearing Nazi insignia while serving with the Nato-led force in Afghanistan.
The two were wearing symbols of World War II Nazi SS divisions on their helmets. The ministry's statement said an investigation ordered by the minister following the scandal has revealed problems with the foreign missions that were not properly solved. It said a failure in command was to blame. Czech Republic has a 480-strong unit in Afghanistan.

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