Czech Communists to block planned U.S. radar base area

CeskeNoviny.cz, Sept. 16, 2007

Skorice- Czech Communists (KSCM) plan to stage on Friday a symbolical blockade of the Brdy military district, some 90km southwest of Prague, in several municipalities situated close to the site where a U.S. radar base is to be built, they say in a letter CTK has at its disposal.

The blockade is being organised by KSCM members in the Plzensky and Central Bohemian regions.

The mayors of the municipalities close to the planned radar base have also received a letter from Jiri Bulka, KSCM chairman in Plzensky Region, that expresses the party's support to all protests and petition actions against the radar base.

The radar base and a base for ten interceptor missiles to be built in Poland are to be elements of the U.S. anti-missile shield designed as protection against "rogue states," such as North Korea and Iran.

The Czech government is to make a decision on the radar base, that is opposed by a majority of Czechs, by early next year.

"We are preparing the symbolical blockade with the participation of the Central Bohemian regional council and with the help of the KSCM Central Committee," Bulka writes in the letter.

The blockade will be staged from 14:00 to 16:00 on Friday, September 21.

Bulka writes that four to eight people will hand out brochures and leaflets against the base construction during the blockade.

One hour later, at 17:00 the Communists will hold a protest demonstration in Misov, the municipality that has been chosen for the radar base.