United States Defence Secretary Robert Gates, signs the SOFA treaty and a bilateral declaration along with his Czech counterpart Vlasta Parkanova, not seen, during a signing ceremony for the SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) treaty and a bilateral declaration concerning the US radar base personnel based in the Czech Republic, on the margins of the NATO defense ministers' meeting in London, Friday Sept. 19, 2008. SOFA stipulating the legal framework for the presence of U.S. personnel on Czech territory in connection with the U.S. missile defense radar facility. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)