U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates (left) with Czech Minister of Defense Vlasta Parkanova
Photo: AP
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U.S., Czechs Agree on American Presence
After the end of meetings between the defense ministers of the NATO countries in London, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Czech Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanova signed the second agreement in a package of documents on the creation of an American missile defense base in the Czech Republic. This agreement regulates the presence of military and civilian personnel in the Czech Republic. The negotiations over it were tough. Chief Czech negotiator Ivan Dvorak said the main thing his side won in the talks was the preservation of Czech legal jurisdiction over the base and conditions for American military personnel apply only to those at the base itself and no other American military personnel who may come to the country.
The maximum number of Americans at the base has been set at 250. They can live on the base, in the nearly town of Plzen or in Prague. Their cars will have special plates. They will not be fined for minor legal violations, but serious cases will be tried in Czech courts. Dvorak said the Czechs took into account in the negotiations experience with American servicemen stationed in other countries. There will be a small group of Czech experts and high-ranking Czech Defense Ministry officials located on the American base.
The first and most basic agreement between the United States and the Czech Republic was signed in July of this year. The Czech parliament will begin considering the agreement next month and it is expected to be approved by a narrow margin by Christmas. The two agreements signed have no expiration dates, but either side can cancel them, in which case the Americans will have one year to dismantle their base and withdraw from Czech territory. It is expected to take four or five years to build the base.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Sep. 22, 2008
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