Liberec Czech Republic 3 Dec. 2003

Speech by Miroslav Kostelka, Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic at the Launch of NATO Multinational CBRN Battalion News 27/11/2003 - SHAPE Inauguration ceremony of NATO's Multinational Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Battalion in Liberec, Czech Republic on 3 December 2003 Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Soldiers! In this Square of President Beneš in the historical city of Liberec, we are beginning today to write a new chapter both in the history of the Czech Republic and of the North Atlantic Alliance. For the first time in the existence of NATO, a unit was successfully established, in which thirteen countries are going to cooperate very closely. The Prague Summit saw NATO attaching urgent emphasis to not retreating before terrorism – it is necessary to fight terrorists, to face them. That is why this Multinational Battalion has been established, the members of which will be the guarantee that the Alliance will be capable of coping with possible use of the weapons of mass destruction and that possible consequence would be minimized. Unfortunately there is still a real danger that terrorists could make use of the weapons. Next year, the Multinational Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Battalion will operate with about five hundred soldiers from thirteen countries, under the leadership of the Czech Republic. Co-ordination of their operations will not be easy, as international cooperation itself in this area is unique. In the months to come, the Battalion members are going to undergo a number of so-called joinder exercises whose one and only aim will be to prepare best all the servicemen in order to enable the Battalion Commander to report full operational readiness on 1 July 2004. Uniqueness of the Battalion’s mission is not that the unit has been developed and trained for armed conflicts only, but the troops will be ready to render aid in consequence management after natural disasters and industrial accidents including those involving hazardous material. I am very pleased that the Czech Republic has been trusted thanks to the high credit of NBC defence. We proudly acknowledge to specialising in this area and I daresay that we have ranked among the world leaders. Our servicemen proved this fact in operation Dessert Shield and Dessert Storm that took place in the volatile Middle East region at the turn of 1990 –1991. We still remember well the participation of our NBC Defence servicemen from Liberec in Kuwait and Iraq in the last and this year, where our unit that comprise the core of the newly developed battalion, proved its excellent reputation. The path that has been followed by the working team from the idea voiced in Prague last year to this Wednesday was extremely challenging. Let me express my gratitude to everybody who dedicated their energy and abilities in support the multinational battalion’s development. I am highly privileged today to have the opportunity to say together with you that a good thing came true. I wish that the unit members will never have to prove their capabilities in the emergency of a real terrorist attack. However, the existence of this specialised unit must convey a message to all those who would attempt to test the Alliance’s readiness. I trust this Multinational Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Battalion will contribute significantly to global security and prove the relevancy of its existence.