Text fwd: [from Australia] Peace groups welcome Czech Government's fall

Text fwd from Hannah Middleton, Agatha Haun

Media release, 26 March 2009
Peace groups welcome Czech Government's fall

Peace groups have welcomed the collapse of the Czech Gov ernment following a vote of no confidence in its Parliament.

"The Czech Government's fall is largely attributable to its hugely unpopular decision to host a radar tracking base, part of the US missile defence program," said Denis Doherty, national co-ordinator of the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition.

"A massive protest movement had developed in recent months, with huge demonstrations putting the government under serious pressure as well over 70 per cent of the Czech people registered their opposition to the planned missile defence base near Prague.

"While the global depression obviously played its part in the Czech Government's fall," Denis Doherty said, "the government of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek was already shaky because the Czech people had rejected its decision to support US missile defence plans.

"Peace activists are delighted by this result and look forward to further successes, in Europe and Australia, in the fight against militarism, excessive war spending and plans to put weapons in space," Mr Doherty said.

For further information, please contact Denis Doherty on 0418 290 663