Slovakia Sending Army Engineers to Afghanistan - 2002-06-05

The Slovak cabinet has approved a U-S request to send a military engineering unit to assist with operations in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda told reporters in Bratislava Wednesday that funding to support the two-million-dollar mission will come from the Defense Ministry's budget. He also said the decision must still be approved by parliament.

Slovakia is hoping to receive an invitation to become a member of NATO later this year. Mr. Dzurinda did not give further details on the size of the military unit, where it would be based or why the United States has requested it.