Final round of Czech-American SOFA talks begin

Czech and American delegates have embarked upon what they hope will be a final round of talks on the SOFA agreement, which will provide a legal framework for American troops living and working on Czech soil. The agreement is being discussed in connection with US plans to build an anti-missile radar base in Brdy, Central Bohemia. According to a Czech defence ministry spokesperson, it is still to be resolved whether American troops will have to pay income tax in the Czech Republic. Another issue which both parties have failed to agree upon up until now is the criminal jurisdiction of American troops on Czech soil. Czech prime minister Mirek Topolánek has said that he hopes the agreement will be ready for signing by early May, at the same time as a Czech-American treaty paving the way for a US radar base to be stationed on Czech soil.