Here is a highlight and a link to the immediate response to the recent shelving of radar and missile systems for Eastern Europe:

The Czech government had stood behind the planned radar system despite fierce opposition from the public. Some critics feared the country would be targeted by terrorists if it agreed to host the radar system, which was planned for the Brdy military installation 90 kilometers (55 miles) southwest of Prague, the capital.

The decision to scrap the plan is sure to have future consequences for U.S. relations with eastern Europe.

“If the administration approaches us in the future with any request, I would be strongly against it,” said Jan Vidim, a lawmaker with Czech Republic‘s conservative Civic Democratic Party, which supported the missile defense plan.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090917/ap_on_re_eu/eu_eastern_europe_missile_defense

Many have cried  “…don’t shoot the messenger…’ and no one would blame Ellen Tauscher from claiming this overused cliche…

Quoting a USA Today article:  “Prorok said Ellen Tauscher, a U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, would brief Czech officials in Prague and Polish officials in Warsaw later Thursday about Obama’s decision.”

Although Ms. Tauscher is an undersecretary in the Obama administration, one might question her choice as a delivery agent for ‘bad news’ to the Czech government which has recently supported the USA especially when compared to many other European countries.  Her formal education in Early Childhood Education and recent appointment to her current position in the administration could undermine her efforts to placate the Czechs.

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