Vondra: Czech parliament set to decide on radar in August

Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra has said that he expects the Czech parliament to make its final decision on the stationing of a US radar base on Czech soil by August. In an interview for state broadcaster Czech Television on Sunday, Mr Vondra said that he expected both American and Czech delegates to have signed the radar agreement and the accompanying SOFA (Status of Forces) agreement by late July. Voices from within the government coalition have called on the government not to put its name to anything before this November’s American presidential elections, which they say, could have a major impact on US foreign policy. On Sunday, Mr Vondra responded to these calls by saying that it was best to sign now – as a new US administration could want the Czechs to pay in part for the radar and its upkeep.