U.S., Czechs Sign Ballistic Defense Treaties

LONDON --- The United States and the Czech Republic signed agreements today that will allow the United States to build a limited ballistic missile defense system to protect Europe from missiles fired from Iran or other rogue nations.>> Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Czech Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanova signed the status of forces agreement that will allow basing of U.S. forces in the Czech Republic and a declaration on strategic defense cooperation between the two nations.>> Gates is here for a NATO defense ministers meeting.>> The Czech Republic will host a U.S.-built radar that will protect most of Europe from a limited ballistic missile attack. The radar along with missiles based in Poland will be able to shoot down a small number of missiles launched by rogue states.>> [The two agreements] will finalize the framework for stationing U.S. personnel in the Czech Republic in connection with the missile defense radar site, Gates said. This is a culmination of a process that will draw our nations closer and will help protect Europe from limited missile attacks.>> Gates praised the Czech Republic for taking the lead against future Euro-Atlantic threats and thanked the minister and her people for their support. He specifically thanked the Czech people for their sacrifices in Iraq and Afghanistan.>> The agreement will be a significant contribution to the security of own country, to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region and also a significant contribution to the Atlantic Alliance, Parkanova said through a translator. It may seem that we have taken a lot of time to sign the two documents, but this is indicative and proof of one fact: that the negotiations were tough, but fair, and that both parties can carry through their collective requirements.