Klaus: consensus needed over US radar base

Czech president Vaclav Klaus has said it is necessary to achieve a certain national consensus on the building of an American radar base in central Bohemia. Speaking after talks with US congressman Trent Franks in Prague, Mr Klaus said if the base was approved by the slimmest of majorities in the lower house it would create room for potential problems in the future. The Czech Parliament is set to decide on the US base - part of a broader defense shield planned by the US in Europe - in the early part of 2008.