U.S. staff levels set for missile base

PRAGUE, Czech Republic, April 9 (UPI) -- The Czech government says a maximum of 250 U.S. personnel will serve at the missile defense radar base the United States intends to build in the Czech Republic.

Staffing levels for U.S. military and civilian personnel were revealed by a spokeswoman for the Czech Foreign Ministry in advance of the second round of talks Wednesday on the Czech-U.S. accord, the Czech news agency CTK reported.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zuzana Opletalova told CTK the Status of Forces Agreement limits U.S. military personnel to 170 during regular operation of the base. However, she added several dozen U.S. civilians may also work at the base.

The agreement between the U.S. and the Czech Republic defines the legal status of American soldiers and addresses aspects of environmental protection, transport, taxes and construction.

Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek has said he expects the accord to be completed by Friday.