Delay in Czech/ US Missile Defence Shield Agreement
Czech officials announced on the 28th April that the signing of a missile defence agreement between the Czech Republic and the US had been delayed.
While an official date for the signing had not previously been confirmed, American diplomats in the Czech capital, Prague, had suggested the beginning of May was possible.
It had been anticipated that Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, would arrive in Prague to seal the deal.
However, according to Zuzana Opletalova, spokeswoman for the Czech Foreign Ministry, a firm date could not be made concrete.
"We have tried for May 5, but we did not succeed", she said, providing no further details.
Later on, Mirek Topolanek, the Czech Prime Minister, stated that the agreement signing could take place early in June, alongside another agreement concerning the issue of US military personnel stationed in the Czech Republic.
Discussions relating to this second, “complementary” agreement remain ongoing.
According to the US State Department, Ms Rice’s heavy scheduled precluded her appearance in Prague as had been expected.
"She will be signing an agreement, there's no substantive disagreement, it's just about working out the timing", spokesman for the department, Sean McCormack, said yesterday.
Czech Radar Facilities
Within its Missile Defence Shield, the US wants the Czech Republic to host radar facilities.
Polish Interceptor Missiles
Interceptor missiles, meanwhile, would be based in Poland.
The shield itself is seen as a measure against attacks launched by what the US has deemed “rogue” states – Iran or North Korea, for example.
Aside from the delay on the agreement, yesterday also saw Greenpeace campaigners protest on the Czech site that would potentially host the radar.
Armed Forces International will continue to provide detailed coverage of the very latest developments in the US’ efforts to implement the Missile Defence Shield.
Source – Armed Forces International’s East European Correspondent
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