By Martin Banks - 13th June 2007
Plans to install an anti-missile shield system in Europe have been condemned by the mayor of Trokavec, the tiny Czech Republic village where it will be based.
Speaking in parliament, Jan Neoral criticised the move, saying it will contribute to a new arms race and create divisions between member states.
Neoral was in Brussels to attend a hearing on American plans to build a huge radar station less than one kilometre from the village.
It is claimed that the Ballistic Missile Defence System, as it is formally called, will protect the US and some allies from nuclear attack.
But some European officials worry it would make the continent more of a target and that deteriorating relations with Russia would harm Europe.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Neoral, a retired electrician, said he objected to the move.
“The main reason is health and the negative effect of radiation from the radar facility on the inhabitants of mine and other villages,” he said.
“But there are also political reasons. Building this radar station will help create a new arms race, new mutual suspicions and will violate agreements that existed when the Czech Republic joined NATO.”
GUE/NGL Czech Republic MEP Miloslav Ransdorf also criticised the move, saying it will “violate the agreed strategic balance in Europe”.
The hearing was organised by the European United Left/Nordic Green Left group in parliament.
Meanwhile, the Slovak prime minister, Robert Fico, said on Tuesday that the EU, NATO and Russia must hold multi-national talks on the plan.
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