March 11, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in the Czech Republic believe their government should call a referendum on the country’s engagement in a United States defence plan, according to a poll by CVVM. 76 per cent of respondents think people should be consulted on this matter, up three points since December.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The vast majority of people in the Czech Republic believe their government should call a referendum on the country’s engagement in a United States defence plan, according to a poll by CVVM. 76 per cent of respondents think people should be consulted on this matter, up three points since December.

In December 2002, U.S. president George W. Bush announced plans for the development of initial defence capabilities, which include ground-based and sea-based missile interceptors, as well as sensors located in space. Washington has explained the project as a means to defend the U.S. and its European allies from a potential attack by Iran or North Korea.

In January 2007, the U.S. issued a formal request to place a radar base in the Czech Republic—in a military area southwest of Prague—as well as 10 interceptor missiles in Poland. 67 per cent of respondents oppose the Czech Republic’s participation in the project, and 27 per cent support it.

The Czech Republic—a member of both the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)—is currently negotiating with the U.S. the construction of the radar base. Some EU officials have asked the Czech Republic to include the continental group in these discussions, but the government of Czech prime minister Mirek Topolanek has so far declined to do so.

Some countries doubt that Iran could actually represent a danger for the U.S. and its allies in Europe and fear the missile defence shield could eventually become a threat to other nations instead—including Russia.

On Mar. 5, Daniel Fried, the U.S. acting under secretary of state for political affairs, said a deal with the Czech Republic and Poland on the missile shield is likely to be closed soon, declaring, "The odds are extremely high that they will be successful, extremely high. (...) There are complicated negotiations underway but we are making good progress, both technically and politically."

Polling Data

Do you support or oppose the construction of a U.S. missile defence shield base in the Czech Republic?

	Feb. 2008	Dec. 2007	Nov. 2007
Support	27%	23%	25%
Oppose	67%	70%	68%

Do you support or oppose holding a referendum to settle the issue?

	Feb. 2008	Dec. 2007	Nov. 2007
Support	76%	73%	73%
Oppose	19%	20%	20%

Source: CVVM
Methodology: Interviews with 1,062 Czech adults, conducted from Feb. 4 to Feb. 11, Margin of error is 3 per cent.