U.S., Czechs to sign radar deal despite opposition

By Jan Lopatka PRAGUE, July 6 (Reuters) - The Czech Republic and the United States will sign a treaty on Tuesday to build a missile defence radar on Czech soil despite opposition at home and in Russia. Washington wants to build the radar southwest of Prague and put 10 interceptor rockets in neighbouring Poland as a part of a defence shield it says will protect the United States and European allies from threats from "rogue states" such as Iran. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will sign the deal in Prague, but the plan faces some hurdles. Talks with Poland have so far failed over Warsaw's demands for U.S. finance to help modernise its army, and the Czech treaty will face opposition in parliament. The Czech government said the shield would offer further protection on the top of the country's NATO and EU membership.... [read full story]