A protest greets Obama in Prague

PRAGUE, Czech Republic, April 4 (UPI) -- Protesters greeted U.S. President Barack Obama as he arrived in the Czech Republic late Saturday.

The demonstration in Prague was in opposition to a Bush administration plan to install a radar facility in the Czech Republic, The Washington Post reported. Interceptor missiles would be placed in Poland.

Obama has said he is unsure the missile shield would be effective.

Recent polls indicate 70 percent of Czechs oppose the missile shield, which has contributed to the downfall of the government of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek. After negotiating a treaty with the United States, the prime minister had to postpone a ratification vote and last week Parliament voted to dissolve the government.

While in Prague, Obama is scheduled to hold short meetings with Topolanek, who remains prime minister until an election is held, and President Vaclav Klaus. Both men have publicly opposed Obama's advocacy of government spending to stimulate economies.