Czechs, Poles wary of U.S. anti-missile shield (Reuters)

[Eugene]

Czechs, Poles wary of U.S. anti-missile shield

By Alan Crosby

Sat Mar 10, 7:12 PM ET

JINCE, Czech Republic (Reuters) - Once a frontline Soviet base, the Brdy
military complex could host part of a planned U.S. anti-missile shield and
local residents feel they are back in the firing line.

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The Americans want to build a radar site in the forested hills around the
small town of Jince, some 60km (38 miles) west of Prague, where agriculture
and light industry dominate the landscape.

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The United States says the anti-missile system will help to thwart any
rocket attacks from rogue states but the plan has upset Moscow, which
sees an encroachment in its former sphere of influence.

The dispute has put Jince, and nearby towns, back on the diplomatic map
even if it does not even have traffic lights and many people do not have
running water.

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MOST CZECHS AGAINST BASE

But Czech public opinion polls mirror Vrba's words. Nearly two-thirds of the
country opposes hosting the radar site even though Prime Minister Mirek
Topolanek has said the government will likely approve opening talks in the
coming months.

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Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070311/wl_nm/radar_usa_czech_dc