In Europe, leaders of Poland and the Czech Republic have announced they’re likely to accept a request to host parts of the Bush administration’s so-called anti-missile defense system. The plans have set off a wave of protest in both countries.

Jan Tamas of the Czech Anti-Bases Movement: “Representatives of our government have shown us again that they don’t care about public opinion at all. It is the opinion of tens of thousands of people who want a referendum, who have expressed their opposition to the plans by the American government to build a radar base here. It reminds me of the situation in November 1989 when the (Communist) government did not take into consideration public opinion and was doing whatever they wished.”

Under the current proposal, Poland would host a battery holding up to 10 ballistic missiles. The Czech Republic would host a radar facility. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Russian government also raised its objections to the plan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: “We are seriously concerned about the plan for the U.S. anti-missile system in Europe, and we are concerned about an emerging crisis related to a conventional arms treaty in Europe. NATO enlargement (in Europe) is clearly not helping develop trust in relations between countries.”