Sedivy: missile defense system should fall under NATO command

A former defence minister, Jiri Sedivy, set to become NATO assistant secretary general this autumn, has said that a possible US missile defense shield should fall under joint-command within NATO. He made the statement about the system, with rocket and radar installations proposed in Poland and the Czech Republic, in Friday's edition of Pravo. The statement differed from his position earlier in the week. In Friday's interview, Mr Sedivy said that negotiations were open, and indicated that there had to beco-responsibility and co-participation regarding decision-making in the project. As future NATO assistant secretary general, Jiri Sedivy will be incharge of defence policy and planning.

Negotiations between the Czech Republic and the US on the shield have been underway since earlier this year, when US officials first asked the Czech Republic to host a radar base as part of a broader defense system in Europe.