Paroubek meets head of Missile Defence Agency, but remains sceptical about radar

The leader of the opposition Social Democrats, Jiri Paroubek, has held talks with the head of the US Missile Defence Agency. Mr Paroubek is in the United States to discuss plans for the American missile-defence shield which may be built in central Bohemia, and to which Mr Paroubek and the Social Democrats are opposed. Following the meeting with General Obering, the head of the Missile Defence Agency, Jiri Paroubek said he was still sceptical about the building of the base. Mr Obering told reporters that he had not tried to change Mr Paroubek's mind about the radar, but instead sought to furnish him with more information about the base. Mr Paroubek will be in America until Thursday; he is set to meet Czech-born former secretary of state Madeleine Albright and Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich on Wednesday.