Czech govt wants vote on missile shield after US election
The Czech government Wednesday called for delaying a final vote on two agreements with Washington to deploy part of a missile shield system on Czech soil until a new US president takes office.
The lower house of the Czech parliament Wednesday began a debate on the agreements to install a radar facility in the Czech Republic as part of a US missile defence system, which is strongly opposed by Russia.
But Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said his government now wanted to extend the ratification process by six more weeks so that the final vote on the agreements, which must be ratified by both houses of parliament, would take place after the inauguration of US President George W. Bush's successor in late January.
"We want a delay to make sure about the attitude of the new American administration," said Topolanek.
Initially, the Czechs were planning to ratify the missile shield agreements without waiting for the US presidential election results.
For months Topolanek's centre-right government has defended the agreements reached with the Bush administration, but the Czech premier's political position has weakened at home after his liberal ODS party suffered defeats in recent regional and senatorial elections.
Lawmakers and Czech public opinion have been divided over placing the missile defence system in the former communist central European country, and angering Russia.
"These agreements are the result of continuous efforts by the Czech Republic to participate in the anti-missile defence system which responds to our security strategy," Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg told parliament.
The Czech government Wednesday called for delaying a final vote on two agreements with Washington to deploy part of a missile shield system on Czech soil until a new US president takes office.
The lower house of the Czech parliament Wednesday began a debate on the agreements to install a radar facility in the Czech Republic as part of a US missile defence system, which is strongly opposed by Russia.
But Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said his government now wanted to extend the ratification process by six more weeks so that the final vote on the agreements, which must be ratified by both houses of parliament, would take place after the inauguration of US President George W. Bush's successor in late January.
"We want a delay to make sure about the attitude of the new American administration," said Topolanek.
Initially, the Czechs were planning to ratify the missile shield agreements without waiting for the US presidential election results.
For months Topolanek's centre-right government has defended the agreements reached with the Bush administration, but the Czech premier's political position has weakened at home after his liberal ODS party suffered defeats in recent regional and senatorial elections.
Lawmakers and Czech public opinion have been divided over placing the missile defence system in the former communist central European country, and angering Russia.
"These agreements are the result of continuous efforts by the Czech Republic to participate in the anti-missile defence system which responds to our security strategy," Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg told parliament.