Prague- Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek took issue with Poland's approach to the talks with the USA on the stationing of the radar system in the two countries.

Topolanek told the public broadcaster Czech Television (CT) that he understood the Polish attitude, but one could take issue with it.

The Poles cannot link the modernisation of their army with the stationing of a part of the system on their soil, Topolanek said.

"They know very well that their negotiating position is quite controversial in this respect. But I hope that they will eventually agree with Americans and the entire project will be launched together as this is in the interest of European NATO countries," Topolanek said.

The Czech condition towards the USA is access to the U.S. research in this sphere, though it does not speak about it loudly, he added.

This mainly relates to the corporate research at universities, Topolanek said.

"This is our condition though we do not push for it as strictly as Poles," said Topolanek, who discussed the radar station with U.S. President George Bush in Washington last week.

Bush said after the meeting the agreement was within the reach and only some details were yet to be polished.

Poles have made it clear that they are not in a hurry.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who will meet Bush on March 10, does not expect the talks to be completed in the nearest future.

Warsaw seeks help in the sphere of air protection in Washington.

Poland demands the anti-missile defence system Patriot 3 or THAAD as well as a long-term programme of military aid and a special bilateral defence agreement.

Topolanek said the Czech Republic had scenarios also in the event Americans and Poles did not agree.

He said he would not disclose them at the time when the affair was still open.

Besides the radar base in the Czech Republic, the USA also wants to build an interceptor missile base in Poland, both as parts of the U.S. missile defence shield in Central Europe to protect a big part of Europe and the United States against missiles that "rogue" states such as Iran might launch.

However, the U.S. intention is opposed by much of the Czech public as well as Russia, which says the shield is aimed against it.

http://www.ceskenoviny.cz/news/index_view.php?id=299877