Czechs agree to deploy US defense chield

“The elements of the US missile defense shield planned to be based in the Czech Republic and Poland is defensive and is not aimed at Russia," George Bush said on Tuesday in Prague. The Czech Republic was the first country on Bush's Europe tour ahead of the Groupe of Eight summit in Germany. The Czech President, Vaclav Klaus said after the meeting that his country agreed to the location of the American military base.

"We realize that the United States bear a huge responsibility for the situation in the world. The United States and President Bush can count on our backing in this," Klaus noted.

"The people of the Czech Republic don't have to choose between being a friend of the United States or a friend with Russia," Bush said at a joint appearance with Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and President Vaclav Klaus in a high-ceilinged hall of medieval Prague Castle. "You can be both. We don't believe in a zero-sum world."

Bush said he will make his case directly to Putin Thursday when they meet on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit in Germany.

"My message will be Vladimir — I call him Vladimir — that you shouldn't fear a missile defense system," Bush said. "As a matter of fact, why don't you cooperate with us on a missile defense system? Why don't you participate with the United States?"