U.S. missile experts coming to Prague

PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. experts will be coming to Prague to explore conditions for deploying a radar base on Czech territory as part of an anti-missile defense system in Europe.

A team of Washington experts is scheduled to arrive next week to discuss the deployment of the radar base at the Misov village, 55 miles southwest of Prague in the Brdy mountains military area, Prague Radio reported Thursday.

The U.S. Embassy in Prague confirmed the military experts were coming Monday to consider positioning the radar base at Misov, which was chosen by the Americans as the most suitable place.

Czech authorities have been holding talks with U.S. experts on stationing the radar base despite opposition by local authorities in the Brdy area claiming it could spoil the ecological situation and harm the health of residents.

Moscow has also voiced its opposition saying the U.S. missile shield in Europe would be positioned against Russia, but Washington has flatly denied these claims.

The Czech parliament should vote late this year on a final approval of the deployment of the U.S. radar base.

A 10-interceptor missile base is to be deployed in neighboring Poland.