Czech ambassador: controversy over radar base will not disrupt Czech-Russian relations

The Czech ambassador to Moscow Miroslav Kostelka has said that even if plans for a US radar base on Czech territory get approval it will not be enough to disrupt future progress in Czech-Russian relations. He said as much on Friday in an interview for CTK, the Czech news agency. In the interview, the ambassador stressed that statements made by a Russian military official this week were "unacceptable", reflecting on the fact that Russia has been very critical of the US plans and has threatened to aim missiles at the sites in both Poland and the Czech Republic if the defence installations are built. Both Poland and the Czech Republic have already indicated a willingness to begin talks with the US.