President Bush expected in Prague

US President George W. Bush is expected to arrive in the Czech Republic at approximately 8 pm CET on Monday for a visit intended to drum up support for a US plan to extend its missile defense system to central Europe. The plan envisages stationing a radar base on Czech territory and interceptor missiles in neighboring Poland. Both countries have agreed to bilateral talks on the project but neither has made a firm commitment.

The US president is expected to meet with his Czech counterpart Vaclav Klaus and Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek. On Tuesday he is scheduled to speak at an international conference: "Democracy and Security: Core Values and Sound Policies. Speaking on the eve of the US president's visit Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said President Bush should be given to understand that the Czech Republic is a US ally, yet it would not be dictated to.