Czechs not against Russia's inclusion in joint missile defence

Russia will launch the missile defence radar that it offered to the United States for joint use in exchange for stopping the plans for the construction of elements of the U.S. missile defence shield in the Czech Republic and Poland, the Russian Interfax news agency reported today.

Repka said if the missile defence system included Russia, it would be the most efficient, Prague Daily Monitor reported.

He added that Czech diplomacy considered the planned launch of the new radar to be an internal issue of Russia.
Repka said it crucial point is whether the Russian and U.S. systems are compatible.

Moscow says its radar will be able to monitor possible missiles from from the Middle East, including Iran.

Vladimir Putin offered the radar, along with the Gabala radar base in Azerbaijan, to Washington for joint use in 2007, but George Bush then rejected the offer and his administration continued with negotiations on a new base in central Europe.

However, U.S. President Barack Obama is reconsidering the central European missile defence project.

Russia strongly opposes the U.S. plan for a radar and silo for interceptor missiles in the Czech Republic and Poland. The Kremlin says the Russia-U.S. deal on strategic arms cuts would not be possible unless the plan is scrapped.