Government spokesman admits communication breakdown over US radar base

The government spokesman for communications on missile defence Tomas Klvana has admitted that mistakes were made by the government in communicating with people on the proposed building of a US radar base in the Czech Republic. Speaking at a stormy public debate in the village of Misov in west Bohemia, where the projected base would be situated, Mr Klvana said he would be holding public meetings in several towns in the region to promote constructive debate on the issue.

The US radar base in the Czech Republic is intended to be used as part of a missile defence shield against possible attacks from so-called rogue states like Iran. Opinion polls have shown that as many as two thirds of Czechs are against building the base in this country even though the idea has been supported by most of the parties in the centre-right coalition government.

Author: Coilin O'Connor