UPDATE 2-Czechs make "big mistake" on U.S. radar-Russia

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Russia's military chief told a Czech delegation on Tuesday it would be making a "big mistake" to host elements of a U.S. missile defence shield on its soil.

The Czech Republic is discussing with Washington hosting a radar station which would form part of the U.S. missile shield -- a system designed to intercept and destroy hostile missiles but which Moscow sees as a threat to its security.

"We say it will be a big mistake by the Czech government to put this radar site on Czech territory," said Yuri Baluyevsky, the Russian military chief of staff, after meeting the Czech deputy defence minister, Martin Bartak.

The missile shield is the latest in a series of moves by Moscow's former Warsaw Pact allies to embrace NATO, effectively moving the West's military capabilities closer to Russia.

Baluyevsky said the Czech move was a political rather than a military decision.

"In my opinion it is a great disappointment that today's discussion sees no change in the last four months by the Czech government. You have taken a decision to continue construction of a radar site on Czech territory," he said.

"There are unfounded allegations that Russia is attempting to disrupt the peace and tranquillity of Western Europe."

The Czech delegation, led by Bartak did not speak to reporters.

Baluyevsky made his comments on the 39th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia to crush the "Prague Spring", when Soviet tanks ended an attempt by the government of the day to promote liberal reforms.

[MOSCOW/Reuters/Finance.cz]