US wants anti-missile radar base in Czech Republic

PRAGUE, Jan 20 (Reuters) The United States has asked the new Czech government for permission to build a radar base in the republic which would form part of the US anti-missile defence system, the Czech government said today.

The request came immediately after the new centre-right government led by Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek won a parliamentary vote of confidence yesterday.

''Some threats can be confronted only in cooperation with our partners, and an attack by a ballistic missile is among them,'' Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova said on public Czech Radio.

''I am aware that locating an allied radar site on our territory is a sensitive issue for Czech citizens. We should not consider this issue ideologically but consider whether it raises the security of the Czech Republic and all its citizens.'' Topolanek's right-wing Civic Democrats have long supported building the base in the country, which is a member of NATO.

The radio quoted Topolanek as saying negotiations with the United States on building the base would take several months.

If the government and parliament approve it, it could start operating in 2011.

The United States is also seeking a location for a base for rockets that could intercept ballistic missiles. Poland is being considered.

Most Czechs back hosting the radar base, but a majority are against a base for anti-missile rockets, an opinion poll showed.

REUTERS LL RAI2018