Rice signs missile defence deal with Poland
Thursday, 21 August 2008
WARSAW, (Poland), Aug 20 (Agencies): Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice plans Wednesday signed a deal to build a US missile defense base on Polish soil, an agreement that has already prompted an infuriated Russia to threaten its former Soviet satellite.
The deal to install 10 US interceptor missiles just 115 miles from Russia's westernmost frontier also has strained relations between Moscow and the West, ties that already troubled by Russia's invasion of its former Soviet neighbor, US ally Georgia, earlier this month.
Rice had breakfast with Polish President Lech Kaczynski on Wednesday. She reiterated Washington's position that the site is not a threat.
"This is a system that is defensive and is not aimed at anyone," Rice said. "This is an agreement that will establish a missile defense site ... that will help us to deal with the new threats of the 21st century of a long-range missile threats from countries like Iran or from North Korea."
After Warsaw and Washington announced the agreement on the deal last week, top Russian Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn warned that Poland is risking attack, and possibly a nuclear one, by deploying the American missile defense system, Russia's Interfax news agency reported.
Poles have been shaken by the threats, but NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop dismissed them Tuesday as "pathetic rhetoric."
Many Poles consider the agreement a form of protection at a time when Russia's invasion of Georgia has generated alarm throughout Eastern Europe. Poland is a member of the European Union and NATO, and the deal is expected to deepen its military partnership with Washington.
Kaczynski expressed "great satisfaction" at the outcome of the long months of negotiations.
"Both sides have achieved their goals. This is a great success for Poland," Kaczynski said standing alongside Rice in the Presidential Palace gardens.
Poland and the United States spent a year and a half negotiating, and talks recently had snagged on Poland's demands that the US bolster Polish security with Patriot missiles in exchange for hosting the missile defense base.
Washington agreed to do so last week, as Poland invoked the Georgia conflict to strengthen its case.
The deal to install 10 US interceptor missiles just 115 miles from Russia's westernmost frontier also has strained relations between Moscow and the West, ties that already troubled by Russia's invasion of its former Soviet neighbor, US ally Georgia, earlier this month.
Rice had breakfast with Polish President Lech Kaczynski on Wednesday. She reiterated Washington's position that the site is not a threat.
"This is a system that is defensive and is not aimed at anyone," Rice said. "This is an agreement that will establish a missile defense site ... that will help us to deal with the new threats of the 21st century of a long-range missile threats from countries like Iran or from North Korea."
After Warsaw and Washington announced the agreement on the deal last week, top Russian Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn warned that Poland is risking attack, and possibly a nuclear one, by deploying the American missile defense system, Russia's Interfax news agency reported.
Poles have been shaken by the threats, but NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop dismissed them Tuesday as "pathetic rhetoric."
Many Poles consider the agreement a form of protection at a time when Russia's invasion of Georgia has generated alarm throughout Eastern Europe. Poland is a member of the European Union and NATO, and the deal is expected to deepen its military partnership with Washington.
Kaczynski expressed "great satisfaction" at the outcome of the long months of negotiations.
"Both sides have achieved their goals. This is a great success for Poland," Kaczynski said standing alongside Rice in the Presidential Palace gardens.
Poland and the United States spent a year and a half negotiating, and talks recently had snagged on Poland's demands that the US bolster Polish security with Patriot missiles in exchange for hosting the missile defense base.
Washington agreed to do so last week, as Poland invoked the Georgia conflict to strengthen its case.