From Our Foreign Bureaus: Could Missile Defense Go to the Ballot?

Joe Mathews — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:51:00 -0400

The Czech government says no. But anti-war groups and others there are calling for a referendum on the government's plans to host installations that would be part of a U.S. missile defense scheme. Polls show most Czechs don't want to be a part of U.S. missile defense either. The International Herald Tribune reports on a demonstration by those demanding a referendum.

MORE TAIWAN BASHING: Add Bulgaria and Iceland to countries that think the Taiwanese people shouldn't be able to vote on whether to join the U.N. In doing so, these countries are showing they value their relations with China, which opposes the March 22 referendum, more than they do democratic principles. These announcements put Europe firmly in agreement with the North Koreans in opposing this vote. How do you say shame in Bulgarian?

QUEBECOIS BACK OFF REFERENDUM: The Quebecois party drops its demand of a referendum on sovereignty within six months.

WESTERN SAHARA TALKS, POSSIBLE REFERENDUM, A Western Sahara referendum. Morocco annexed western Sahara in 1975. The Polisario Front, based in Algeria, wants a referendum on independence. The two sides are talking again.

POLES SUPPORT EU TREATY: A new poll finds three-quarters of Poles surveyed would support the Lisbon Treaty in the event of a referendum. But there likely won't be such a national vote. The treaty can be passed with a two-third vote of the Polish parliament.