Czech government names proposed site for US radar

Jul 3, 2007, 13:19 GMT

Prague - The Czech government on Tuesday said it intends to locate the controversial US radar facility close to the Bohemian village of Misov, around 90 kilometres from Prague.

The Czech Security Council agreed on the location saying the 120- inhabitant village close to the city of Plzen (Pilsen) was suitable for technical reasons, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said.

Mayor of Misov Pavel Hruby however said the community was against locating the contentious radar site, part of a proposed US missile defence system in eastern Europe, in their village.

Prague had not previously named a proposed location for the radar site, which the parliament is due to vote on in 2008.

US plans to station a missile defence system in eastern Europe, also involving 10 interceptor missiles in Poland, have been the cause of friction between Washington and Moscow.

Russia fears the system will target its nuclear arsenal, while the White House insists missile defence in Europe is essential for countering the threat posed by Iran's growing ballistic missile capability.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in talks with US counterpart George W Bush on Monday expanded on a proposal to instead host a radar site in Azerbaijan and another in southern Russia.

Bush however said the United States intended to continue with plans for the Czech and Polish sites.