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http://www.praguepost.com/P03/2002/Art/1009/news3.php The Prague Post October 10, 2002 Tvrdik seeks missile defense Minister says U.S. should deploy shield system on Czech soil By Sam Beckwith Staff Writer, The Prague Post (October 9, 2002) -"I offered the United States the opportunity to deploy the missile defense system on Czech soil." -Although the cost of the missile defense shield is in the tens of billions of dollars, the U.S. government has offered its allies the chance to participate through "non-monetary contributions." "This could be the active participation of [Czech] experts [in the project] or the possibility of us allowing [U.S.] radars or information sensors on our territory," Tvrdik explained. -Tvrdik's proposal attracted predictably fierce criticism from the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM). Deputy Chairman Vojtech Filip said that the defense minister should offer his resignation. The Czech Republic will play a role in the United States' controversial missile defense program if Defense Minister Jaroslav Tvrdik has his way. Tvrdik recently proposed Czech involvement in the program at a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his deputy Richard Armitage at the Pentagon. "I expressed the interest of the Czech Republic in joining this program," Tvrdik told reporters. "I offered the United States the opportunity to deploy the missile defense system on Czech soil." The cost of repairing damage caused by August's floods has forced the Czech government to scrap its planned purchase of 24 Jas-39 Gripen fighter jets. The fighters would have cost around $60 million (1.86 billion Kc). The defense minister said that the U.S. program "can enable the Czech Republic to ensure a considerably higher level of protection with the same or lower costs." Although the cost of the missile defense shield is in the tens of billions of dollars, the U.S. government has offered its allies the chance to participate through "non-monetary contributions." "This could be the active participation of [Czech] experts [in the project] or the possibility of us allowing [U.S.] radars or information sensors on our territory," Tvrdik explained. Although Tvrdik has discussed the possibility of Czech participation in the program with Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla and President Vaclav Havel, he must receive parliamentary approval if the Czech government is to make a formal offer of assistance. The Russian and Chinese governments have criticized the missile defense project and some of the United States' European allies have publicly doubted whether the project is feasible. Tvrdik's proposal attracted predictably fierce criticism from the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia (KSCM). Deputy Chairman Vojtech Filip said that the defense minister should offer his resignation. Defense Ministry spokesman Milan Repka emphasized that negotiations remain at a very early stage. "It is not as if he has offered Czech territory in Hradec Kralove, Olomouc and Cesky Krumlov for U.S. missiles and radars," he said. "Tvrdik only called the scheme a very interesting one in which he is willing to participate." -- Martina Sedlakova and wires contributed to this report __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More http://faith.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bacIlu Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
