Stefka has declined to comment on the information in detail.

"I have also heard this information but I have not yet received it officially," iDnes of the Czech Republic quotes Stefka as saying.

The Czech embassy in Tashkent is headed by ambassador Ales Fojtik.

Stefka said in February upon leaving the post of chief of staff that he would like to work in diplomacy and that he had had a series of talks at the Foreign Ministry.

Stefka, who headed the military staff from the end of 2002, was replaced by Vlastimil Picek this year.

Last year Stefka was elevated to the rank of Army General, the top military rank.