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Biden goes far in calming nerves in central Europe with short visit to the region

PRAGUE — Vice President Joe Biden made significant strides during a trip to Central Europe this week in relieving anxieties the Obama administration stirred up last month when it scrapped a Bush-era plan for missile defense.

Czech prime minister, NATO endorse new missile defense plan

PRAGUE — The Czech Republic and NATO said Friday that they backed a reworked U.S. missile defense plan meant to defend against threats from Iran and other nations.

Czech PM: Czech Republic endorses new US missile defense plan

PRAGUE — The Czech prime minister has endorsed a revised U.S. missile defense plan.

US vice president seeks Czech support for revamped missile defense plan

PRAGUE — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden wraps up a tour of Central Europe in the Czech Republic on Friday, attempting to shore up support for a reworked missile defense plan and reassuring critics that Washington remains committed to guaranteeing the country’s security.

US VP Biden says shorter-range missiles threaten Europe, Obama not appeasing Russia

BUCHAREST, Romania — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that Europe was threatened by medium and short-range missiles and a new missile defense system would help protect it.

US VP Joe Biden thanks Romania for troops in Afghanistan, support of US missile shield

BUCHAREST, Romania — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden met with Romania’s leader on Thursday and thanked him for sending soldiers to Afghanistan and supporting a revamped U.S. missile shield being planned in Europe.

NATO chief says alliance must remain focused on Afghan effort

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Afghanistan is the most complex challenge that NATO has ever undertaken, but the alliance must remain engaged there to prevent the country from turning back into an al-Qaida training ground, the organization’s top official said.

US Vice President Joe Biden to meet Romanian leaders, expected to assure of US support

BUCHAREST, Romania — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden met with Romania’s president on Thursday and was expected to reassure him that the U.S. commitment to eastern Europe remains strong.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney says Obama must do ‘what it takes to win’ in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Dick Cheney on Wednesday night accused the White House of dithering over the strategy for the war in Afghanistan and urged President Barack Obama to “do what it takes to win.”

Neb. official: Prison hires may face more background checks after state hires wanted man

LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska is considering additional and different background checks for job applicants at state prisons after the state discovered it had hired as a guard a man wanted in the Czech Republic on drug and fraud allegations.

US VP Biden seeks to win back Poland, other US allies after missile program cut

WARSAW, Poland — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden sought reconciliation with America’s staunch allies in eastern Europe Wednesday, starting with Poland, which eagerly signed on to a revamped U.S. missile shield.

NATO defense ministers to discuss Afghanistan war, new US missile defense plan

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — NATO defense ministers will meet here Thursday to discuss the war in Afghanistan and the growing support for President Barack Obama’s plans for a new missile defense system in Europe.

Polish leader says he is ready to accept Obama’s new missile defense system

WARSAW, Poland — Standing alongside U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Poland’s prime minister said Wednesday his country was ready to participate in the Obama administration’s revamped plan for a U.S. missile defense shield in Europe.

AP NewsBreak: Man wanted in Czech Republic found in Nebraska prison _ as a guard

LINCOLN, Neb. — A man wanted for alleged drug and fraud crimes in the Czech Republic has been found at a maximum-security Nebraska prison — working as a guard.

Biden to reassure Poles disappointed by Obama’s missile defense shift

WARSAW, Poland — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was to meet with Polish leaders and veterans of the war in Afghanistan on Wednesday, during a visit expected to center on revamped plans for a missile defense system.

Biden heading to Central Europe amid doubts among allies about US security commitment

WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden is traveling to Central Europe to reassure leaders who are nervous that the Obama administration’s courting of Russia means a reduced commitment to their security.

As east Europe marks 20 years without communism, secret police files still poison the air

BUCHAREST, Romania — Even his best friend betrayed him.

Vaclav Havel: Czech president is damaging the country by not signing the EU reform treaty

PRAGUE — Vaclav Havel, who led the 1989 Velvet Revolution that peacefully toppled communism in the former Czechoslovakia, accused his presidential successor on Thursday of damaging the country by refusing to sign the EU reform treaty.