Victory for Czech peace protesters over US military radar
Ekklesia: 20 Mar 2009
In a major setback for Pentagon plans to install a US military radar base in the Czech Republic, the Czech government has withdrawn its proposal to ratify an agreement on the base after loud protests. …
Two thirds of Czechs have consistently opposed the radar ever since it was first proposed in 2006. Anti-radar activists have repeatedly called for a referendum on the issue, but have been rebuffed. Meanwhile, the Czech government signed an agreement with the United States in 2008 to proceed with the installation of the radar and the Czech Senate approved the accord.
However, the agreement could not be implemented until the Czech Chamber of Deputies ratified it. Thanks to the tireless activities of anti-radar groups in the country, the No Bases Initiative and the Nonviolence Movement, popular opinion remained strongly mobilized against the radar. This public opposition seems likely to culminate in a “no” vote in the Chamber. …
