U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will discuss the U.S. radar base in the Czech Republic and Czech involvement in U.S.-led international military missions on Tuesday, the Czech news agency CTK reported on Sunday.
Gates is scheduled to meet Czech President Vaclav Klaus, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova and lawmakers.
He may also meet Jiri Paroubek, leader of the opposition Social Democrat which is skeptical of the radar plan.
Gates will arrive here one week before another round of talks between the Czech and U.S. delegation on the treaties that are to allow the planned radar base.
Gates recently visited Moscow which has voiced strong reservations about the planned anti-radar shield. Russia has offered the United States an alternative to use the radar installations in Gabala, Azerbaijan.
Americans seek the Czech consent to the radar base. A number of American delegations have visited the Czech Republic over the issue, including U.S. President George W. Bush, who paid a visit to the Czech Republic in June.
The United States wants to deploy ground-based interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic as part of its missile defense shield. But Russia strongly opposes the plan, saying it poses a threat to the security of the country.
The Czech Republic and Poland are in talks with the United States on the missile defense plans.
A recent opinion poll showed more than two-thirds of Czech citizens oppose the establishment of the base.
Source: Xinhua
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