Posted on 11/17/2005 1:13:40 AM PST by twinself
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. and Polish officials are discussing building a base in Poland from which U.S. interceptors could shoot down long-range missiles as part of a global defence network, a Pentagon official said Wednesday.
It would be the first American strategic missile defence site outside U.S. territory, and would be designed to defend all of Europe against intercontinental-range missiles - primarily those launched from the Middle East.
No decision has been made to proceed with a missile defence base in Poland and alternative sites in Europe are a possibility. But the Pentagon official said Poland appears to be the most likely host country for the kind of American military installation that would have been unthinkable before Poland joined NATO in 1999.
The official discussed the matter only on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.
The Pentagon has made no public announcement of its discussions with Polish officials, although it has made known its extensive consultations in recent years with NATO allies on the threat posed by ballistic missiles.
On Monday, Poland's new prime minister, Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, said he was opening a public debate on whether to host a U.S. missile defence base.
He did not specifically say Washington was interested in installing ground-based interceptors of the sort that the Pentagon has recently installed in Alaska.
"This is an important issue for Poland, related to our security and to our co-operation with an important ally," Marcinkiewicz said.
He leads a new conservative government in Warsaw that took office on Oct. 31. The previous government had expressed concern that missile defence co-operation with Washington could harm relations with Russia, which had opposed Poland's decision to become a member of NATO.
The U.S. military has no permanent bases in Poland or other Central and Eastern European countries formerly aligned with the Soviet Union. The U.S. does have bases in former Soviet republics in Central Asia such as Kyrgyzstan.
U.S. officials have been discussing with new NATO members Romania and Bulgaria the possibility of basing some U.S. troops there as part of a repositioning of U.S. forces around the world.
U.S. officials have been considering a number of possibilities for extending the American missile defence network to include Europe, although most of the focus has been on defences against short-range missiles.
Long-range missiles are considered an emerging threat, in the view of Bush administration officials, because of the proliferation of technologies that would allow countries such as Iran and possibly Syria or Libya to build extended-range missiles. The threat is especially worrisome when coupled with nuclear warheads.
The current U.S. defence system against long-range missiles is limited mainly to an installation at Fort Greely, Alaska, where at least six missile interceptors are in underground silos, linked to a command and control system. It is designed mainly to shoot down missiles fired at U.S. territory from North Korea, with future expansion planned.
The Pentagon official who discussed the Polish option said that if a missile defence base were built there, it probably would be the only one needed to defend Europe against long-range missiles, although radars, other sensors and interceptors designed to combat shorter range missiles also would be needed for a complete defence.
The official estimated that a site in Poland would not be ready to begin operating before 2010. He offered no estimate on how much it might cost or when U.S. officials were likely to make a decision to proceed. Also undetermined is whether the site would be controlled jointly by U.S. and Polish forces or possibly with a NATO role.
China may send one within Range.
Iran feasibly also.
The main tarket of this though is Russia.
As for A-weapons in Russia - our opinion doesn't matter, Russia has plenty of them - it is a fact regardless of real necessity. But on the whole similary to gun possesion - I strongly oppose the point of view that only professional criminals should have the possibility to carry them.
Yes! This would would splendid, if it comes to pass.
Shall we play a game?
Why do you object to it?
Outstanding news. Let RasPutin put that in his pipe and smoke it!
Do you pretend for not hating Russia after that?
in return , do we get a Polish Sausage base in Washington D.C.?
NATO's retaliation would sweep Russia out of this world. Price worth paying, I think.==
If it would be NATO retailiation ever:). NATO countries like France or Germany may decide hell with Poland that to live is better then not. What if whole nuclier exchange will be limited by Poland?
If you recall the american concept of 80th the "limited nuclier war"? It was american concept.
SO America prepaired to it. SO if any then it may be just limited war with some countries go out in flames but some are not:)).
About russian nukes. It is policy that Russia doesn't point it on countries which doesn't have them on thier territory or doesn't have foreign military bases.
SO till today Poland isn't pointed nuclierly. If Poland get base on her territory then become ligitimate nuclier target.
Washington D.C.? Nope man, according to Pentagon strategists there's much better location - it's going to be built right next to your house instead. They know how you like them. Have fun.
I don't think that this event will change smth. In Russian - Polish relations. But anyway I see that Poland steps on the same rake. If the "war" between Russia & the USA is possible, then the first victim will be again Poland. All of you (poles) use think that you are experts in Russo - polish historical relations but it seems like you always circulating. I can guess that this base will be unpleasant not only for Russia but also for your neighbor
You see - it's exactly the same with Russian missiles pointed at Poland...:)==
OK but you may not believe but use some common logic.
Russia points nuclier there where the threat of same proportion.
If somewhere are nukes which is pointed to Russia then Russia points there her own. If somewhere foreign bases which may be used for first strike or to defend russian retailiation after first strike then obviously Russia will point her nukes there.
If some country doesn't border Russia and has no threat for Russia then why to spend nukes on her?
SO according common logic and american concept of "limited nuclier war" I presume that Poland will not diminish her risks by this installations but opposite become legitimate nuclier target and then increases her risks.
BTW Vox_PL here ready to sucrifice Poland for sake of America. DO you agree with him?
I don't think a missle base in poland would accomplish anything other then being a bur in russias ass.
Excellent idea!
His heart is black as hells and he is obsessed with the Devil's work. He'll be in a for an unpleasant surprise on his judgement day. This "patriot" even advocates the extermination of his own people to reach his "objectives".
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