Czech official warns of Europe crises

We are being tested. We should be careful and we should be firm.

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What about Georgia's prospects for NATO membership?

I would not rule out any possibility. There needs to be a really serious debate within NATO.

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Is your country reconsidering its defense in light of what happened in Georgia?

Our security is based on our membership in NATO. . . . We cannot do anything on our own.

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Do you have assurances that the rest of NATO would defend you?

NATO is not dead. I think Article 5 of NATO is still valid: An attack on a NATO member state is an act of war against all of NATO. But I'm not expecting that.

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A high-ranking Russian general recently suggested that Russia could use rockets to destroy interceptor missiles to be stationed in Poland. What if Russia doesn't like this radar in your country?

Well, Russia doesn't like a lot of things that are in Europe. Let's not be tricked into excluding some pieces of the NATO defense infrastructure.

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boudreaux@latimes.com