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RIA Novosi is reporting that the Czech parliament may get the ball rolling next month on ratifying the missile defense treaty entered into with the U.S. The Czech Republic and the U.S. finalized the agreement last month.

One reason Democrats in Congress cited for withholding funding for the missile defense base was that the Czech parliament had not approved the agreement. There’s no guarantee parliament will approve it. Czech MP said parliament could reach an agreement by a margin of one or two votes, and that two-thirds of the country say don’t want the base in their country.

The radar missile defense base is part of a plan to protect the country from Iranian attacks. The U.S. and Poland entered into a similar agreement. Naturally, Russia opposes both.

 
The U.S. and the Czech Republic signed an agreement last week that facilities the development of a missile defense radar base in the Czech Republic. Negotiations for the base took years, but both sides quickly came to an agreement in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Georgia. The base may be operational by 2013. (AFP)

Raytheon and Boeing are developing three prototype air-to-ground missiles, thanks to a $125 million contract awarded by the U.S. Army. Expected to be ready by 2016, the missiles will be made for helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and unmanned air drones. (Boston Business Journal)
 
Last week, Russia successfully launched a Bulava-M submarine-based ballistic missile from the ballistic missile nuclear submarine Dimitry Donskoi. Russia plans to adopt Bulava-M missiles for service with its navy and will commission the first Borey-class strategic nuclear submarine by 2009. (RIA Novosti)

 
Last week, the Czech Republic approved the final part of an agreement with the U.S. to host a radar missile tracking base. The main part of the deal was signed last month. The final part concerns tax matters and U.S. soldiers deployed to the base.

The Czech Republic’s parliament, which has not approved the agreement, strongly opposes it, according to the AP. Democrats in Congress cite this and other reasons for refusing to fund missile defense bases in that country and in Poland.

Both countries and the U.S. contend the bases will serve defensive purposes, not offensive. Regardless, Russia says it may point ballistic rockets at the bases, both of which could be completed and operational by 2012.

(Source: AP – Photo source)

 
According to RIA Novosti, Russia will not reopen a radar base in Cuba. “This matter is not under consideration,” Sergei Lavrov said at a news conference.
 
The 28-square-mile Lourdes facility, located near Havana, is the largest Russian signal intelligence site abroad. Former President Vladimir Putin closed it in 2001. At one point, 1,000 to 1,500 people occupied the facility.
 
Cuba was a player in the Cold War between the U.S. and Russia. Just 90 miles from our shores, Cuba is a hotbed of political wrangling between the world’s superpowers. Any Russian facility that close to the U.S. is a major concern, naturally. RIA Novosti reports that the Lourdes facility “intercepted transmissions from microwave towers in the United States, communication satellite downlinks, and a wide range of shortwave and high-frequency radio transmissions.”

Speaking of Cuban bases, a Russian newspaper reported in July that a high-placed source said the Kremlin may retaliate against the U.S. if it deployed missile interceptors in Poland or Lithuania. The retaliation would consist of Russia installing Tupolev Tu-160 White Swan supersonic nuclear bombers in Cuba. Former Cuban dictator Fidel Castro didn’t confirm or deny the report. (Source)
 
(Source: RIA Novosti)