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Russia Attempts to Talk Czechia Out Of U.S. Radar
President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus arrived in Moscow on official visit yesterday. The announced purpose of the tour is sealing a string of economic agreements. But in the Kremlin, they don’t bother to conceal the true aim of the meeting. Moscow stakes on persuading Mr Klaus that hosting the U.S. radar could be dangerous for Czechia.
The economy-oriented part of Klaus’ tour to Moscow provides for sealing roughly a dozen of contracts and interbank agreements for a total worth of above ˆ2 billion. One more agreement of ˆ340-million budget will be inked when Klaus pays a brief visit to Kazan.
But economy is hardly the highlight of this trip of the Czech president. During today’s get-together of Vaclav Klaus and Vladimir Putin, the parties are expected to deliberate on Czechia’s standing in respect of stationing the U.S. shield in Europe, including on its own soil.
Russia’s attitude to the problem is well-known and predictably tough despite all efforts of the U.S. diplomats to reassure the Kremlin that the interceptors would be targeted not at Moscow but at some rogue states. Even the offer to take part in creating the shield voiced by the U.S. State Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates hasn’t improved the situation.
So, Czechia could be today’s hope of the Kremlin. But the chances are slim. The country has launched negotiations with the United States about stationing radar and there is nothing to reconsider, Klaus made clear before heading to Moscow.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Apr. 27, 2007
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