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.
I avoid agreeing with stupid statements as a rule.
I don't think they have anything to worry about unless they are worrying about the US being more closely allied to the Poles.==
If it is not directed against Russia then Russia has nothing to worry.
I avoid agreeing with stupid statements as a rule.==
Good rule:). Tell it to vox_PL:).
I'm somehow OK with the fact that Russia points her nukes at Poland. In your place I would do the same. Poland is USA's ally and in case of any conflict between Russia and the States (I don't wish you any) we will immediately become a target.
I'll put it that way. You are probably familiar with the term "game theory", right? So there's a game: you are Sycilian and you own a quiet restaurant. Local mafioso pays you a visit to get his share of the business. You don't want ot pay. SO You hava a choice: you can face him unprepared and if the things turn nasty during the talks he'll kill you or you'd go armed risking he finds out and will try to you knowing you could kill him in self-defence. Of course there's a chance that all talks will run smoothly without any shooting. What YOU'd rather do? :)
What do you think about the Swiss way? They have a quiet restaurant while are not allied with anybody. The issue whether the proposed base is against Russia or not is an issue of trust/distrust. From the Polands's view Russia won't be able to invade Poland any soon with conventional means while using nuclear weapon against Poland is pointless in terms of profit. Who needs a nuclear wasteland? Why would Russia want Polish territory? Poland could use the time to progress up to Germany's or France's level of development.
As we consider the proposed military base to be a threat to Russia, the base can be aimed - its coordinates typed in into military computers. So Poland risks its territory to become battlefield. This decision looks risky for Poland, IMHO.
As we consider the proposed military base to be a threat to Russia, the base can be aimed ==
As polish patriot vox_PL stands for rights for Poland to do whatever Poland wants. And sametime he find it very offending if someone reacts in unfavorably on Poland doings. It is polish logical bias. Vox_PL never see polish wrongdoings but he see well if someone reacts on polish actions in way he doesn't like.
I respect the Swiss way very much. But as you know their story is very complicated, unique and unlikely to be repeated by any country because of geography (not flat but surrounded by mountains), long neutrality tradition (no wars in centuries), coexistence of different cultures, languages (3 equal official languages). To reverse the question - what do you think about the Canadian way?
It is in well understood Polish and American interest to be able to protect themselves against attack from any side. There's nothing to discuss here. So although nobody really wants atomic wasteland Russia "owns guns" and wouldn't disarm if China nicely asked to, is that right? And China doesn't want Russian territory, too.
P.S.
French have nukes. But I don't think this or % of muslim population is the level of development you had in mind.
"LEAVE US ALONE, RUSSIANS. LEAVE US ALONE FOREVER!!!"
These can be russian words towards poles, but it seems that is Poland do everything possible, do their best to be noticed...
LEAVE US ALONE, RUSSIANS. LEAVE US ALONE FOREVER!!!
Oh, how sad. Too bad. Now share with me what would you to Russia and Russians.
I'm sorry I don't quite understand you. Please expand on that.
It is in well understood Polish and American interest to be able to protect themselves against attack from any side.
Well some steps may be thought agressive.
Russia "owns guns" and wouldn't disarm if China nicely asked to, is that right?
Right. The nuclear arsenal is commonly regarded in Russia as the only reason why Russia isn't being attacked.
And China doesn't want Russian territory, too.
I doubt. They don't seriously think about that but they may want this in future.
French have nukes. But I don't think this or % of muslim population is the level of development you had in mind.
I meant nothing of that but the level of their business, industry, science and technology. Once Poland progresses in these spheres, Poles would probably feel themselves more self-assured and stop this "little nation bordering a big one(s)" thing.
As for the nukes, that a fruit of such improvement.
I realy can't see ANY threat to Russia because of those bases...Can you??
Only idiots want war with Russia...What the f*** for?
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