After Moscow, Robertson Discusses Upgrading Czech Forces

He arrived from Moscow, which is fiercely opposed to any further NATO expansion to the east, following the accession of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland into NATO in March 1999. The main topic of discussion would be Prague's plans to buy between 24 and 36 Western-built supersonic jets planes to update its aging Soviet-era airforce, Robertson told state television before his arrival. Czech President Vaclav Havel recently told AFP that Moscow "has not right to oppose NATO enlargement" into ex-communist countries in central and eastern Europe. Robertson is also likely to discuss the outcome of his talks in Moscow, as well as preparations for a NATO summit in Prague in late 2002, officials said. The ailing Havel will meet with Robertson in hospital, where he has been for over a week after suffering a relapse of lung problems which forced him to cut short a foreign trip, his spokesman said. On Wednesday Robertson was due to meet Havel, Foreign Minister Jan Kavan and Defense Minister Vladimir Vetchy. On Thursday he will meet Prime Minister Milos Zeman as well as parliament speaker Vaclav Klaus and Senate speaker Petr Pithart.