Russia has protested Washington's plans, saying it would upset the strategic balance in Europe and could lead to a new arms race. "The Americans are prepared to present a proposal to begin talks leading to a concrete agreement on building bases in Poland and the Czech Republic," Polish Deputy Foreign minister Wiltold Waszczykowski told the country's PAP news agency. "We are waiting for this concrete proposal," he added. And in PRAGUE, Czech Republic: Czech leaders decided to open talks with the United States on its request to locate part of a global missile defense system in the Czech Republic. The National Security Council, including President Vaclav Klaus and Premier Mirek Topolanek, gave a green light for official negotiations to begin after the U.S. asked the Czech government last week to consider basing a radar station here as part of the system.

"The building of this anti-missile system is in line with NATO intentions," Topolanek told Czech radio after the meeting.

"Its positioning in central Europe should strengthen not only the security of the Czech Republic but also all European allies," he said.

A group of experts will be appointed to lead talks on details of the treaty. Topolanek said he expected it would take about a year to complete the negotiations and get the necessary political approval in the Czech Republic. Under Czech law, the base would have to be approved by both chambers of the Parliament and the president. Topolanek's Civic Democratic Party, winner of last year's general election, supports the plan. But the process could be difficult because some political parties either oppose the proposal outright or are seeking more information. Critics argue the base could endanger the country by making it a possible first-strike target in case of a nuclear conflict. Others worry it will worsen relations with Russia, which opposes the idea of locating parts of the system here. The possibility that the base would be under U.S. jurisdiction is also a concern.

Washington also wants to open formal negotiations with Poland on locating ground-based interceptor missiles there as part of the system. Poland and the Czech Republic, both former communist states, now belong to NATO.

"The western European countries, especially Germany and France, are against this project. For Poland's political opponents, this will be another reason to say Poland is the Trojan horse of the US within Europe.

The U.S. already has missile interceptor sites in Alaska and California, but the new sites in Europe would be the first of their kind outside U.S. territory. American officials say it could also defend Europe against any intercontinental-range missiles developed by states such as Iran and North Korea. Ballistic missile attacks can come in many forms. One might prefer to think of war in the modern age as “unthinkable,” but it would be irresponsible to dismiss the harm enemies may wish us.