U.S. can launch attacks from Romanian bases

Bucharest Daily News ^ | 03/07/2006 | Alecs Iancu

[Panerai]

Under the agreement on the location of U.S. military facilities in Romania, the United States can launch an attack from Romanian territory without knowledge or approval of the Romanian authorities.

Parliament's joint defense and foreign policy committees discussed the accord yesterday with representatives of the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The agreement, signed last year by Foreign Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu and visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on December 6 last year, allows U.S. troops access to four Romanian military bases.

Mihai Kogalniceanu in Constanta will be the most important U.S. military base, as it will become the headquarters for the U.S. military's new Eastern European Task Force. The other three locations will be mostly used as training facilities.

According to Ungureanu when the accord was signed, the document includes principles guaranteeing that the facilities cannot be used in purposes contrary to legislation and international treaties Romania is part of.

Under the accord, Romania will give up its jurisdiction over possible offences committed by members of the U.S. military on its territory. Also, the bases will be mostly used for training and equipment storage and, in case of necessity, for troop stationing. The first troops are expected to arrive next summer.

Until then, Parliament has to ratify the accord. During yesterday's session, the head of Senate's foreign policy committee, Social Democrat Mircea Geoana, and the head of the defense committee, Liberal Senator Norica Nicolai, asked for clarification regarding the possibility of launching a U.S. attack from the bases to be set up in Romania.

The two lawmakers also required explanations on whether the bases Romania will host may be included in a global military program, such as the anti-missile shield.

[Optimill]

This is a great development. Romania is a country with which we should build closer relations. Hopefully we get the right diplomatic people there to clarify any questions they might have quickly and efficiently.

[Lukasz]

is there any planned deployment in Poland? Your country would be perfect since nobody's feelings in Europe are that close to America than those of the Poles.

I didn’t heard about any plans to deploy US military base in Poland. It is good because I have always skeptical attitude towards presents of foreign troops in Poland. Also I think that US government is well aware that we would never agree for that “Romanian” kind of agreement, no way. We need to know and control everything what is going on in Poland. Beside Romanian geographical position is better for the American interest I think.

[Atlantic Bridge]

Also I think that US government is well aware that we would never agree for that “Romanian” kind of agreement, no way. We need to know and control everything what is going on in Poland.

Could not be said better. Besides I do not think that this kind of agreements is in the interest of the US either since they will not last for too long. Trouble is preassigned. Read this:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1578986/posts

Anyway it is od course up to the Romanians to sign such agreements or not.