Bush In Prague For Radar Talks As Putin Issues Warning

Bush is set to deliver a major policy speech in Prague on June 5 (file photo) (official site) June 4, 2007 -- U.S. President George W. Bush has arrived in Prague for a visit aimed at convincing the Czech government --> http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/06/0370313c-3500-4b0d-aadc-0abf4959e221.html to accept the installation of a U.S. radar base.

The radar would be part of a proposed antimissile system in the Czech Republic and neighboring Poland. Russia has said it considers the proposed missile-defense system a threat to its security.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Moscow that if the U.S. missile-defense plan goes forward, Russia could retaliate by pointing its missiles at targets in Europe.

"If a new missile-defense system will be deployed in Europe, then we need to warn you today that we will come with a response," Putin said. "We have to ensure our security, and we are not the initiator of this process."

U.S. national security adviser Stephen Hadley today told reporters traveling with Bush aboard Air Force One that Putin's comments are "not helpful," and represent "an escalation in the rhetoric."

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in turn warned Russian President Vladimir Putin that Washington and its allies cannot be divided on their mutual defense.

Bush and Putin are due to meet at the summit of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations that begins on June 6 in Germany.

(compiled from agency reports)