Missile defense and the Czech Republic

Why is the Czech republic involved?
 
The Reasons
The main reason for the Czech Republic’s interest in talks about its involvement in the missile defense system is its endeavour to enhance security of the Czech Republic against a ballistic missile attack.
 
This kind of attack is a real and growing threat, especially in case of the attacking ballistic missile carrying weapons of mass destruction. (Why are the ballistic missiles such a threat?)
 
Neither the Czech Republic nor other European countries have defense against such a threat. The Czech Republic and Europe are not able to develop any system for defense against ballistic missiles.
 
Getting involved in the missile defense system, the Czech Republic would prove that it is a reliable ally within the NATO, is aware of security risks and is ready to take an active part in ensuring security of its own citizens as well as the inhabitants of the countries cooperating within the NATO and in Europe.
 
Getting involved in the missile defense system, the Czech Republic would add to its international prestige and satisfy the principle of solidarity among partners.

One must also take into consideration the economic benefit in the event of the Czech companies’ participation in construction of the radar (infrastructure development, job opportunities, etc.), though this is just a secondary reason, which is nothing compared to the main purpose of participation in the missile defense system, i.e., ensuring security of the Czech Republic. The amount of economic benefit depends on the outcome of the current talks.
 
The Formal Procedure
At a particular level, the Czech Republic has been in talks about its involvement in the missile defense system following an official request made by the USA on 19th January 2007 as regards prospective location of the radar as an element of the U.S. missile defence on the Czech territory.
 
The USA has approached the Czech Republic because Central Europe is an optimum location for the positioning of a missile defense facility protecting the territory of the USA as well as an essential part (the centre and northwest) of the European continent.
 
The Czech Republic responded to the request for talks in a positive manner in a diplomatic note of 28th March 2007. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Czech Republic had decided to enter into negotiations with the United States on location of an anti-ballistic missile defense radar on its territory.
 
The final decision on the prospective involvement in the system is up to the government and the Parliament of the Czech Republic. Approval by an absolute majority of all members of Parliament and an absolute majority of all senators is necessary in order to accept foreign soldiers on the territory of the Czech Republic as well as to send Czech troops abroad.

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