by Wu Liming

    PRAGUE, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Ahead of attending the G8 summit, U.S. President George W. Bush Tuesday flew into the Czech Republic for an official visit that observers say is aimed at bolstering support for controversial proposals to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe.

    Opposition to the system, which if approved will be built mainly in the Czech Republic and Poland, is growing louder by the week from both neighboring Russia and from among the general public in the Czech Republic.

    The latest survey in the Czech Republic indicates that some 60 percent of citizens are against the plan, while 73 percent believe a referendum should be called before it is given the go ahead.

    So far, the Czech government has held two rounds of talks with the United States over the base. In his meeting with Czech President Vaclav Klaus, President Bush tried to persuade the Czech side to lose its fears over Russian anger and give the plan the nod.

    "The people of the Czech Republic don't have to choose between being a friend of the United States, or a friend with Russia. You can be both," Bush said after talks with Klaus.

    Russia is the major concern of Bush's visit.

    On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to aim Russian missiles at Europe in response to the U.S. plan, which would place a radar station in the Czech Republic and 10 missile interceptors in Poland.

    Bush said Russia does not have to fear of the system, insisting it was designed to protect Eastern Europe against "rogue states."

    Bush even invited Russia to "participate" in the program, urging Moscow to send military staff and experts to the United States to learn about the technology.

    "The Cold War is over. It has ended," Bush said after his meeting with Klaus, adding that Russia is not an enemy of the United States and it has no reason to worry about the deployment of the system.

    With the G8 summit ahead, Bush said he would explain this issue to Putin face-to-face, hoping to soothe Moscow and even seek cooperation from Russia on the issue.

    However, Bush took another tone when he addressed democratic activists in Prague, accusing Putin of holding back on democratic reform.

    "In Russia, reforms that once promised to empower citizens have been derailed, with troubling implications for democratic development," Bush said.

    Bush's criticism would, of course, ignite anger in the Kremlin. On Thursday and Friday, Bush will meet Putin at the G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany. The big question is: what will the two leaders say to each other?

    One thing is clear, however. While a proposed missile system straddling the Russian border remains in the offing, the spat between Moscow and Washington is sure to continue.