US Missile Defence Shield: Polish/US Talks Continue
The US, it has emerged, is prepared to modernise the Polish military – a proviso laid down by Warsaw for it to accommodate elements of the US Missile Defence Shield.
The announcement was made by Poland’s Foreign Ministry on the 26th February. Speaking to news agency AFP, spokesman for the ministry, Piotr Paszkowski, detailed the situation further.
"In a telephone discussion with Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice indicated that the American side will this week present an offer to modernise the Polish military, in response to our requirements”, he said, giving no additional information.
In comments broadcast on Polish radio, the foreign ministry confirmed that a conversation with Rice had taken place, but that discussions on the potential upgrade were incomplete.
"We are obviously acting in good faith in these negotiations, but we don't know if the American side will propose conditions that we can accept", he said.
The US Missile Defence Shield is a subject frequently visited by Armed Forces International. Most recently, we wrote on Poland’s progress towards establishing a deal with the US.
In comments made earlier this month, Sikorski emphasised how talks with the US were unfinished.
"We are not at the end of the road as regards negotiations”, he said.
”We have an agreement in principle."
Poland to Host 10 Interceptor Missiles under Defence Shield Plans
The US is looking for Poland to host 10 interceptor missiles as part of the Shield.
Along with the installation of radar facilities in the Czech Republic, the measure, the US has said, is aimed at thwarting attacks from so-termed “rogue states.”
Ahead of the latest word from the Polish Defence Ministry, Donald Tusk, the country’s Prime Minister, had said he was “close to a good solution.”
"This solution must also be of benefit to Poland, not only to the United States”, he stressed.
"Either our conditions will be fulfilled ... or there will be no shield."
Patriot Anti-Missile System Possible for Poland
It is thought that Washington is looking at the THAAD or Patriot 3 anti-missile systems as a means of strengthening Polish air defence.
The next step in inter-US/Polish negotiations will come this week, with the imminent arrival of US officials in Warsaw.
Further down the line, Tusk is scheduled to hold talks with President Bush on March 10th.
Source – Armed Forces International’s East European Correspondent
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