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Public Survey Shows That the Czech Republic Population Has Mixed Views on Proposal to Base a Missile Defense Radar on Their Soil
PRAGUE, Czech Republic, September 10 /PRNewswire/ -- A survey of public opinion in the Czech Republic conducted by Opinion Research Corporation indicates that 51% of the population of the Czech Republic do not support a proposed radar that would be linked to a broadly- based system anchored by the US missile defense system. However, 58% of Czechs believe their country should continue to negotiate with the United States on hosting the radar. Also, 49% of the population recognizes the threat of ballistic missiles to Europe and 48% of the public think that the development of the radar would contribute to a stronger NATO. Only one out of five Czech citizens is currently familiar with their country's discussions to host a radar that supports missile defense and the ones who are familiar with the issue are 52% supportive of the radar. This polling data shows a similar pattern to polling data taken in the United States over the course of the development of the U.S. missile defense system. There is a direct correlation between issue awareness and public support. Less than 5 years ago, less than half of the U.S. population was familiar with the issues related to missile defense and support for a missile defense system was also less than 50%. Today, after much public debate and education on missile defense issues, including the threat and the defensive nature of the system itself, 81% of the U.S. population supported the U.S. missile defense system now being fielded. (www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/mdaa/2007MDPollSummary.php?eip_edit=true). The Poll was commissioned by the U.S.-based non-governmental group, the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. The poll was conducted with 1009 adults (486 men and 523 women) in the Czech Republic. The margin of error at the 95% confidence level is plus or minus three percentage points. For full detail of all questions asked and summary of the polling survey link to http://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/mdaa/americas_voice.php. Riki Ellison is available for interviews regarding the public opinion poll. Please call Nathan Singletary at +1-703-299-0062 to set up an interview. Web site: http://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org
