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7 August |
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http://www.praguemonitor.com/ctk/... |
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Prague (CTK) - Opponents to the possible construction of a U.S. anti-missile base in the Czech Republic today protested outside the seat of the public Czech Television (CT) against the way CT reported about the issue. "As most Czechs are against the base, we donīt like that the voice of the opponents is not heard enough," Jan Tamas, spokesman for the No To Bases association, told CTK. CT dismissed the criticism. "We reject the opinion that our coverage is not objective," TV news deputy head Jiri Vondracek said. CT thus refused to take over a symbolic missile and an open letter that the organisers wanted to hand over. Tamas said that their petition against the base has been signed by several thousands of people. No To Bases considers the base a step backwards as weapons do not lead to international peace according to it. The Communist Youth Association (KSM) also actively opposes the construction of the base. A recent poll showed that only about one out of six Czechs support the idea of the U.S. base being constructed in the country. Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda said on Sunday that it is almost sure that the US will ask the Czech Republic to join its programme of anti-missile defence. Svoboda added that the extent of participation is not yet sure. The United States allegedly said that the military training ground Libava, north Moravia, would be the best locality to host the base. Washington has addressed the Czech Republic and other Central European countries over "the anti-missile umbrella" as the U.S. equipment in North America is not sufficient for defence against missiles possibly launched by North Korea and Iran. The base Central Europe should therefore play a strategically important role.
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