Czech Republic Missile Defense Base Debates
Some months ago, the U.S. and the Czech Republic reached a deal for the U.S. to install a radar missile defense base to protect against missile attacks. Democrats in Congress threatened to withhold funding for the project until both houses of the Czech Republic’s parliament approved the deal. According to Reuters, that country’s parliament is divided, and the situation was made even worse as a result of the Czech Republic’s recent election.
The agreement is supported by the center-right coalition government, but parties that oppose parliament and Czech civilians are concerned about Russia’s disapproval of the plan.
“There will be a problem. We must fight until the very last moment,” Foreign Affairs Minister Karel Schwarzenberg told Reuters. “I hope that after all the people will realise the responsibility that they have.”
Before the U.S. moves forward with the base, the deal must be ratified. The lower house of the Czech Republic’s parliament recently began debating the issue.
Tags: Czech Republic, Karel Schwarzenberg, Russia