Czech Republic Rejects Missile Defense Criticism

Czech Republic leaders yesterday rejected suggestions that U.S. missile defense installations in Eastern Europe would pose a threat to Russia, the Czech Republic Business Newswire reported (see GSN, Jan. 24).

“It is absolute nonsense,” said Gen. Pavel Stefka, chief of staff of the Czech armed forces, responding to statements by Russian officials.

“It cannot be considered a threat to Russia,” said Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, saying the system is intended only for defense and could be expanded to cover Russia.

The United States has proposed to place missile interceptors in Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic.

“This radar monitors missiles that have already been launched and it cannot monitor what is going on on the ground … because of the terrain,” Stefka said.

“It is a system of antimissile defense, which not does not have, and cannot have, other than defensive purposes,” said Czech Defense Ministry spokesman Andrej Cirtek.  “It fires (interceptor) missiles with no explosive warheads that destroy ballistic missiles only due to the power of impact, which is why it cannot be a threat for anyone” (Czech Republic Business Newswire, Jan. 24).

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