Czechs to impose Canada diplomats visas

PRAGUE, Czech Republic, July 14 (UPI) -- The Czech government said it plans to impose travel visas on Canadian diplomats in retaliation for Ottawa's decision to require Czech visitors to obtain visas.

Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer described Canada's move to introduce visas for Czech travelers as an unfriendly step and said Prague will respond by imposing visa restrictions on Canadian diplomats and civil servants, Prague Radio reported Tuesday.

The Czech government immediately recalled its ambassador to Ottawa.

The European Commission said it would not go along with a Czech call to all European Union countries to require visas for Canadian visitors.

A spokesperson for the commission said it regrets the Canadian move and expects it would be a temporary measure, the report said.

Ottawa informed Prague of its visa decision Monday night in a bid to stem the rising number of Czech Gypsies, or Roma, who have been seeking asylum in Canada claiming discrimination.