By Prensa Latina
Prague : Discussions on the legal aspects of the installation of radar for the US missile shield in the Czech Republic began in Prague on Monday.
Issues discussed at the Ministry of Defense include legal status and criminal responsibility of US military officials, who will operate the radar Washington intends to station in this European country.
Disregarding the competence of The Hague International Court of Justice in handling extraterritorial crimes, the US insists that its courts, rather than Czech’s, are to judge any accused soldiers.
The US is also trying to secure permanence in this Central European country for its military personnel after the radar is installed at the Brdy firing range, 37 miles southwest of Prague, Pravo daily reported.
Experts from both countries are also examining details of the contract defining the objectives, operation and control of the radar.
Russia opposes this US early warning system, to be operational by 2012 (also including a battery of intercepting missiles in Poland), arguing that it threatens its security and could monitor military movements well within its territory.
Negotiations will continue on Thursday and are expected to run until February 7, when US Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs John Rood is scheduled to arrive in Prague.
A final decision on the presence of the radar is to be made by the Czech Parliament after the NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania in April.
At least 70 percent of the population opposes the project, according to surveys.