by Karl Janicek 

PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said Monday he will complete a deal on missile defense during talks this week in Washington.

 

The United States wants to place a radar system in the Czech Republic and 10 missile interceptors in neighboring Poland as part of a system it says is necessary to protect the U.S. and Europe against future attacks.

"We have reached a stage that we are able to complete the talks during my visit to America," Topolanek told The Associated Press in an interview Monday. He meets with President George W. Bush at the White House on Wednesday.

The U.S. and Czech governments have been in talks for a year about the plan to place a missile tracking radar at the Brdy military zone southwest of Prague.

Topolanek said he could not see "any serious problems that would prevent us from completing the treaties" this week, but added that final agreement will not come until the Poles are fully satisfied with the project.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Sunday he supports the missile defense project — but on condition that Washington, in return, help modernize Poland's military defenses. Tusk will visit Washington March 8-10.

Poland says Washington has agreed to help strengthen the country's short-to medium-range air defenses, but that exact details have not yet been worked out.

Russia fiercely opposes the prospect of U.S. military installations so close to its borders, and has threatened to target any future base in Poland with its missiles, causing deep anxiety in Warsaw.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i6csE6My-L9KSPxvztHBAF6b-jyQD8V1BVT81