Sri Lankan 4th ARMOURED REGIMENT - Foreign Military Studies ...

were of little significance. The hostsspoke very little and expected us toaccept the twenty five tanks chosen bythem without causing anyinconvenience. Following a casual walkaround the huge yard, we saw new tanksthat had hardly been used. They werescattered and mixed up in a huge mazeof steel. It was stunning spectacle to seesuch a huge collection of battle tanks.One wondered what devastation therewould have been, had the Warsaw Pactfought a war with NATO in EasternEurope.The Sri Lanka team membershad a daunting task ahead of them topersuade the uncompromising CzechArmy hosts to agree to sell the betterweapons. It meant churning-up the entireyard just to pull-out a few good tanks.Traditional Sri Lankan charm did notbring the desired results until one of usinquisitively scanning the Gold Leafcigarettes smoked by some teammembers. That gave us a hopefulbreakthrough. Cigarettes were politelyoffered and there was a spontaneouschange in body language and attitude.They were now willing to move a few ofthe good tanks but not all of them. Astime passed team members were able tobreak the ice and generate some friendlyconversation. It was casually mentionedthat back home, Sri Lankan militaryfolks enjoyed a good drink and ScotchWhiskey was the preference. The Czechswere told there were enough stocks inthe hotel and an invitation was extendedfor an evening get-together. The hostsheaded by a senior regional tankformation commander dropped by at thehotel later in the day. Duty exemptedwhiskey carried by the team wasgenerously offered.noticed young Czech soldiers6