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RADAR DEAL SIGNED AMID POPULAR DISDAIN |
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mercoledì 09 luglio 2008 |
US Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice and Czech Foreign Affairs Minister, Karel
Schwarzenberg signed the hugely unpopular Star Wars radar deal
yesterday despite opposition of 70% of the Czech population and
thousands of Europeans.
In Wenceslas square 5.000 expressed their outrage at
the high-handedness of the anomalous right-wing government coalition,
which brings together Christian Democrats and Greens. In the words of Jan Tamas, "the
battle is just beginning! We do not want any American bases, Russian
bases or Chinese bases. We do not want foreign armies occupying our
territory. They have stepped on two thirds of this country's
population, they have disregarded the pleas of artists, sociologists,
academics, doctors and those who have fought for freedom in this
country but they will not stop us."
The Czech government decided to ignore the calls to wait for the new US
administration and to consult with the other 26 EU member States before
committing itself to hosting a US military base, part of the American
Missile Defence system, that is creating international tensions and
targeting the heart of Europe. The agreement must now be ratified by
the Czech Parliament and then signed by the President before becoming
effective. The Parliament is divided in two but Jan Tamas voiced
preoccupations that the US will buy those parliament members opposing the deal, tipping the scales in their favor.
The issue will be discussed today at 4:00 p.m. in the EU Parliament in Strasburg
at the "Why a USA Missile Shield in Europe" hearing where Jan Tamas
will be accompanied by Europe for Peace spokesperson Giorgio Schultze.
The following week, on July 17 at 11:00 a.m., there will be an anti-Star Wars conference in the Czech Parliament in Prague attended by European Parliament Vice President, Luisa Morgantini.
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