Czech to finalize US missile shield deal Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:12:39 GMT
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The Czech government has approved the second and final part of a missile defense deal with the United States despite threats from Russia.
The treaty allows the deployment of US troops at a planned missile defense base near Prague. The Czech government has already approved the main bilateral treaty allowing the US to build a radar base in the country.
Both agreements require the approval of parliament, where they face strong opposition. They should also be signed by President Vaclav Klaus.
Russia had earlier warned that such a move would expose the country to a strike. On Wednesday, a top Russian general, Nikolai Solovtsov, reiterated Moscow's stance on the issue warning that the country's ballistic missiles could target US defense shield in Europe if it is stationed.
The treaty is expected be signed by US Defense Secretary Robert Gates during an informal meeting of NATO defense ministers in London next week, given that it is approved by both Czech Parliament and president.
Czech Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanova said Wednesday that the 34-page document deals with "taxes and the legal status of US soldiers to be deployed at the base".
Parkanova added that the government had succeeded in having many of its demands included in the treaty.
In July, the US and the Czech Republic signed a preliminary agreement to base a radar system near Prague to support 10 US interceptor missiles in Poland.
Poland agreed to host the missiles in exchange for US military aid, including Patriot air defense missiles.
Russia, however, strongly opposes the US planned missile shield in Europe, considering it as a great threat to its security.
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Russia renews missile warnings to US Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:14:43 GMT
http://www.presstv.com/Detail.aspx?id=6 ... =351020602"I can't exclude that if such decisions are taken by our military-political leadership, the missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic and other such objects could be chosen as designated targets for some of our inter-continental ballistic missiles," General Nikolai Solovtsov was quoted by Interfax as saying.
Russia's threat comes after the US-Russian relations slumped to a post-Cold War low over the recent Georgian conflict. Some analysts view the conflict as a prelude to another cold war.
"We should be sure that the current and future strategic missile forces... are guaranteed to fulfill the task of strategic deterrence," said Solovtsov, the head of Russia's strategic missile forces.
Moscow has been at loggerheads with Washington over the US defense missile system in Europe, dismissing the plan as a jeopardy to its security and military power.
Poland and the United States signed a deal in August on building the site for 10 US missile interceptors on the Baltic Sea by 2012.
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Chavez: Russian bombers for training Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:24:45 GMT
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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says that two Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers that have landed in Venezuela are for training flights.
"What's more, I'm going to take the controls of one of these monsters," said Chavez, a former paratrooper.
The moves came amid mounting tension between Russia and the United States over various issues, including the presence of US military vessels near the Russian coasts.
Chavez also said plans for joint Russian-Venezuelan naval exercises in the region in November were currently being worked out, and said his closeness to the Kremlin would result in a cooperation that would "strengthen the country."
His announcement confirmed an Interfax report saying the bombers would be in Venezuela for training flights over "neutral waters."
Russia said Monday it was dispatching a nuclear cruiser and other warships and planes to the Caribbean for the joint exercises with Venezuela -- the first such maneuvers in the US vicinity since the Cold War.
Among the Russian ships to take part in the exercises would be the heavy nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Peter the Great, a vessel with massive firepower whose cruise missiles can deliver nuclear or conventional warheads.
Russian Foreign ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko said Monday that the exercises were "not in any way connected to the current situation in the Caucasus," and were "not aimed at any third country."