Czech mayors form association opposed to radar base

In related news, mayors from localities near the Brdy military grounds have formed an association of towns and villages opposed to the deployment of a US radar base to the Czech Republic. If the Czech Republic and the US find agreement in negotiations the radar base - part of a broader US defense system - could be stationed at the Brdy military zone near Misov, west Bohemia, some 90 kilometres southwest of Prague. The mayors' association is to negotiate with the government and its constituent document was signed by 31 of 34 municipal representatives, 27 of whom are from Central Bohemia. Only the mayors of Strasice, Hradek and Spalene Porici, all West Bohemia, declined to join.

Some of the mayors have admitted that a meeting with government coordinator for defence policy, Tomas Klvana, this week divided mayors in the Brdy area. It has been suggested that a recent 200-page report issued by the government, ruling out health risks from the radar (provided safety zone requirements are respected) has had a positive impact.