Washington and Prague could conclude radar base deal in the spring

A deal between Prague and Washington on the siting of a US radar base on Czech territory could be concluded in the spring, Czech Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanová told reporters at the end of a fifth round of talks on the radar this week. The latest round of talks focused on conditions governing the presence of US soldiers at the radar base. The Czech government is pushing ahead with the negotiations despite criticism from opposition parties and the public. Public opinion surveys suggest that around 70 percent of Czechs are opposed to the base.