Praag onderhandelt met Bush over plaatsing 'Star Wars'-faciliteit in Tsjechië (en)

The new Czech government has given the green light to talks with Washington on hosting part of a US anti-missile defence system, with Poland pressed to locate a major part of the "Star Wars" project which sparks concerns in Russia and opposition among Czechs and Poles.

Just as the new Czech cabinet of Mirek Topolanek, the centre-right ODS leader, received his parliamentary approval on Friday (19 January) following seven months of domestic political wrangling, the US officially filed its request to deploy a radar site for its projected shield system on Czech territory.

Prague agreed on Saturday to start negotiations expected to last a few months, with Mr Topolanek saying the initiative would be in his country's best interests as it would "increase the security of the Czech Republic and Europe," according to press reports.

The move is opposed by some opposition social democrats, communists as well as the Czech president Vaclav Klaus, with opinion polls suggesting up to two thirds of citizens also dislike the plan.

Analysts view the official confirmation of the Czech Republic as a candidate for hosting a radar site as a strong indication that the US is also trying to locate a missile interceptor - able to fire off rockets to destroy incoming missiles - in Poland.

Warsaw has declined to comment on the issue following Prague's statements but according to national reports, the Polish government is less favourable to the idea despite the economic benefits it can bring.

The project would bring along investments worth around $1.6bn and hundreds of jobs for people living in the regions. Warsaw's approval to host the project could also boost the chances for a deal on dropping US visa obligations for both countries.

Poland's foreign ministry spokesman Andrzej Sados told Reuters "consultations concerning that issue have been going on for months... We need more consultations, which we are conducting with our American friends through diplomatic channels."

Meanwhile, Russia has raised concerns over the US plans, believing they are targeted against her, rebuffing US arguments that the installations would be used against the threat from states like North Korea or Iran.

According to Moscow, the two countries - dubbed as "rogue states" by the Bush administration - do not possess intercontinental ballistic missiles that the American scheme in central Europe could potentially destroy.

"Russia will have to take additional measures to counter missile defence systems to prevent its strategic deterrent potential being downgraded," Nikolai Solovtsov, a Russian military officer said according to UK daily Guardian.