WORLD / Europe
Czech citizens wary of US missile system
(AP)
Updated: 2007-06-05 15:37
PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Russia isn't alone in disliking the idea of
basing a US missile defense system in the Czech Republic and other
countries on its doorstep.
US President George W. Bush, left, and his wife Laura wave on their
arrival in Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, June 4, 2007. Bush arrived in
Czech Republic for a two-day working visit. [AP]
Most Czechs aren't happy about the proposal, either. Recent polls in this
former Soviet satellite, now a democratic NATO ally, show more than 60
percent of the public in opposition.
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President Bush arrived Monday evening in the stately old European capital
of Prague for a day of meetings with Czech leaders.
The White House has billed a speech Bush will deliver from the local
headquarters of Radio Free Europe on democracy as the highlight of his
visit here. His Czech counterparts have complaints with Washington to
discuss, such as a two-tiered visa system for European nations that
leaves their citizens out in the cold.
However, the international debate over the missile defense system likely
will drown out everything else during Bush's stay in Prague. The US plan
calls for an anti-missile radar base to be built at the Brdy military
zone southwest of the capital.
For their part, Czech leaders have brushed off Russia's objections,
remaining receptive to the project. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek called
it "a necessary step which will significantly increase our security and
also the security of our European allies and neighbors."
Most Czech citizens, though, worry about Russian threats to embark on a
new arms race in response, and they fear that the installation could make
the tiny country a terrorist target.
In Prague last weekend, more than 1,000 people protested the plan.
Demonstrators planned to show their displeasure again Tuesday outside
medieval Prague Castle, where Bush was to meet with Topolanek and
President Vaclev Klaus.
Over the weekend, Russian President Vladimir Putin stepped up already
incendiary remarks about the US and its intentions with the shield,
warning that Moscow could take "retaliatory steps" including aiming
nuclear weapons at US military bases in Europe.
Russia believes the shield in Eastern Europe is meant for it, and says it
has no choice to boost its own military potential in response.
Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, called this sort of
talk "not helpful."
Still, he, the president and other US officials have sought to cool down
the situation - to no avail. They insist the network is meant to protect
NATO allies against a missile launch from Iran, not Russia.
The president's speech in Prague could stoke the fires further.
As part of taking stock of "the freedom agenda," Bush plans to mention
Russia as a difficult area, Hadley told reporters traveling Monday with
Bush to Europe on Air Force One.
"He'll talk a little bit about the challenge of promoting democracy in
countries, big countries in particular, where we have a complex
relationship and a number of interests, places like Russia," Hadley said.
He said the speech was not aimed at Russia, and that Bush would handle
that bit of it "in a very responsible way."
Still, the remarks were not likely to be well-received by Putin, with
whom Bush was scheduled to meet two days later in Germany on the
sidelines of the Group of Eight summit.
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