PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — February 5th 2008

The Czech government on Monday approved development aid to villages that could be affected by the placement of part of a U.S. missile defense system in the Czech Republic.

The government approved $72 million for the region near a military area southwest of Prague where the U.S. wants to build a radar base, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said.

Topolanek did not give details Monday, but he has said before that the region near the Brdy military zone has been under-financed for a long time, and the aid would focus on infrastructure.

The U.S. is in talks with the Czech government about plans to place a missile-tracking radar system in the military area. Washington says expansion of its missile defense system is needed to protect European allies against a possible missile strike from Iran.

Components of the system already exist in the U.S. states of Alaska and California.

The U.S. also wants to place 10 interceptor missiles in Poland.

The Czech government has been receptive to the proposal, but the U.S. faces strong opposition from Russia, which argues that an installation so close to its border threatens its security.

Most Czechs oppose the plan, according to recent polls.

Talks were expected to resume in Prague on Thursday, and the plan is expected to be high on the agenda during Topolanek's meeting with President Bush in Washington on Feb. 27.