Government blocks parliamentary discussion of EU constitution and proposed radar base

An extraordinary session of parliament, which was meant to discuss the draft European constitution and a proposed US radar base in the Czech Republic, has been cancelled. The scheduled sitting ended in acrimony after the centre-right governing coalition blocked the approval of the meeting agenda. Opposition Social Democrat and Communist MPs say the development is proof that the government is trying to stifle debate in parliament. Civic Democrat prime minister Mirek Topolanek has rejected the accusation, saying that it was simply too early to begin discussions on the EU constitution and the proposed radar base.