Czechs for rigid environmental protection around U.S. base

[PointRadix]

Czechs for rigid environmental protection around U.S. base

18:34 - 28.02.2008

Czech negotiators want the legal aspects of the environment around the planned U.S. base in the Czech Republic to be tougher irrespective if they will be U.S. or Czech, Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek told journalists today. The final signing of the relevant agreements on the base only depends on this, according to Topolanek. "The question is whether Czech or U.S. legislation will be applied. The Czech side is interested in the stricter one," Deputy Foreign Minister Tomas Pojar today. The legislation is now under the scrutiny of lawyers, he added. Some sources suggest that the disputes relate to the compensation for environmental damage.

The U.S. negotiators have reportedly accepted the idea that Czech environmental legislation will be valid for the radar base. The project must comply with the water and air pollution protection laws. It is not yet clear whether the radar base will be subjected to the law on the assessment of environmental impact, Environment Ministry spokesman Jakub Kaspar said. It is also unclear how environmental damage caused by the Americans' presence in the Brdy area where the base is to be stationed would be addressed.

Environmentalists contend that the question of funding of mitigation of environmental damage is 'insufficiently defined' in the Czech Republic. The Chamber of Deputies recently passed the law that deals with compulsory insurance in the event of environmental damage. The legislation is yet to be debated by the Senate. The government will submit two agreements to the parliament.

The main agreement on the stationing of the U.S. radar installations in the Brdy military area, some 90 km southwest of Prague, will define the conditions of the building and operation of the base, access to it, the possibility of visits and other matters. The SOFA agreement will address legal aspects. It will define the legal status of American soldiers in the Czech Republic. The U.S. project is rejected by Russia and a large part of the Czech public.


Source: Czechs for rigid environmental protection around U.S. base - ÈeskéNoviny.cz