Poland's New Leader to Visit Washington

Los Angeles Times ^ | September 13, 2006 | Associated Press

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The possibility of Poland serving as hub for a U.S. missile defense project is on the agenda for talks between Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski and President Bush.

Kaczynski was opening his Washington visit with a midday luncheon meeting Wednesday with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He planned a midafternoon meeting with Bush at the White House.

The visit is Kaczynski's first since taking over the government in July.

The administration has been grateful for Poland's troop presence in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In Iraq, some 900 Polish soldiers currently command a multinational division south of Baghdad. Poland has around 100 soldiers in Afghanistan as part of a NATO force.

The United States has been examining the feasibility of setting up a missile defense capability in Europe for several years. Discussions have been held with Poland and the Czech Republic about hosting these assets. Potential sites in both countries have been visited for a small number of long-range interceptor missiles and radar.

At present, there are no missile defense sites outside U.S. territory. The goal would be to protect Europe against possible attack by intercontinental-range missiles.

Kaczynski aide Leszek Jesien said no final decision on the issue is expected during the prime minister's visit.

Government spokesman Jan Dziedziczak said the agenda also calls for talks on the situation in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, Poland's eastern neighbors.

Kaczynski plans to meet with business leaders and representatives of the Polish and Jewish communities. He also will attend a ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday marking the hand-over of the first of Poland's 48 new F-16 fighter jets.

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ping!