Posted on 05/03/2008 7:36:12 AM PDT by Grzegorz 246
WASHINGTON - The Bush administration has asked Congress for $20 million for military aid to Poland as it seeks to complete a missile defense deal.
The administration wants to build a European missile shield that would include a radar installation in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptors in Poland. Officials have been trying to reach a deal with the two countries before President Bush leaves office in January.
The U.S. is nearing a deal with Prague, but negotiations with Warsaw have lagged. The talks had been complicated by Poland's demand for help to upgrade its military in exchange for allowing the interceptors.
The request for money for Poland comes at a crucial time as the two sides are set to meet in new negotiations next week on the military aid question.
The Bush administration made its request public Friday as part of a larger budget document, but the document did not tie the money to negotiations with Poland. A State Department official, who asked for anonymity because he was not authorized to comment, confirmed that the $20 million request was intended to allow it to satisfy the Polish demands.
The U.S. missile defense plans have become one of the thorniest issues in U.S.-Russian relations. Moscow opposes the U.S. plan to build part of its global missile defense system so close to Russian borders, arguing that it would undermine the Russian nuclear deterrent.
The Polish government argues that the U.S. security upgrade is necessary because Russia has threatened to target Poland with nuclear missiles if it should allow the interceptors.
The administration's request would have to be approved by Congress before the money would be made available. However, the request is a signal to Poland in the negotiations that it wants to accommodate at least some of Warsaw's conditions.
Polish officials have said they are looking for help to acquire air defenses against short- to medium-range missiles. Negotiators have asked for expensive Patriot 3 or THAAD missiles and have identified 17 areas of the Polish military that the United States could help modernize. Interceptors for the planned U.S. shield are for protection against long-range missiles.
What about protecting the US borders?
So true. The problem is a lack of illegal immigration threads on FR.
Protecting the borders would prevent the entry of sufficient numbers of exploitable workers to suppress wages to the satisfaction of the chamber of commerce .
Just change your names to ******dez, or **rez, or **mez and see how much money he sends.
OUtrageous isn’t it?
“The U.S. is nearing a deal with Prague, but negotiations with Warsaw have lagged. The talks had been complicated by Poland’s demand for help to upgrade its military in exchange for allowing the interceptors.”
Give Poland NOTHING.
I’m sick and tired of paying other sountries off. This will benefit THEM without is paying them off.
I don’t want my tax money being spent like this. Give me the money that I EARNED. Stop giving it as bribes to other countries. And secure our borders!
“Give Poland NOTHING.”
So host this crap in your own garden.
Poland has been one of our staunchest allies in the WOT. I have no problem eliminating aid to countries that continually stab us in the back, but Poland is not one of them.
Myopic thinking
20 million is chump change compared to the billions we waste on countries who hate us.
20 million is well worth the investment
Yes, show one of our staunchest allies the door because they want (A) something in return for their support and (B) realize that this move is incredibly unpopular, particularly with their most lovable of neighbors, and want some form of protection. $20 million? How much federal largess was spent in merely your congressional district last year? I’d say it is perfectly reasonable for Poland to expect something. If you treat your friends the same way when they ask something of you nmh, it must be a trifle one-sided relationship
I love the Polish people. They are in the middle of hell in Europe. There isn’t enough money to protect them from the people they are stuck between.
Thank goodness for the Polish. From King John III Sobieski in the 17th Century to John Paul II in the 20th, they’ve been doing more than their fair share to save western civilization and liberty.
For $20 million I can send Bush a picture of my haired ass. Looks like people here don’t get LOL in the topic.
“Just change your names to ******dez, or **rez, or **mez and see how much money he sends.”
Better yet, change those Polish names to Mohammed and Mustapha and Naji and Ali. After all, that’s who the Administration really hands our money over to, hundreds upon hundreds of millions of dollars. The problem with you Poles is that a) you are not Mohammedans and b) you are Roman Catholics but so close to Orthodox lands that maybe a little rubbed off on you and that, my friend, has been good enough with the American government to get you bombed and attacked by American financed Mohammedan jihadis since the 1990s.
Meant to ping #15 to you. Sorry!
Why isn't the self described biggest and wealthiest economy protecting itself?
Agreed. We gave Pakistan $300 million in military aid.
Nothing against Poland, but sheesh, c'mon. We're giving money, aid, and/or arms to every country with its hand out while WE are being invaded by the millions.
Something is FUBAR -- Our troops are protecting Iraq's borders (plural) while we're putting OUR own Border Patrol agents in Federal Prison for giving criminal illegal aliens a dirty look or for not saying 'Please'.
You may not understand the situation.
First of all, the missile defense site in eastern Europe will be positioned perfectly to conduct intercepts of Iranian missiles. That is why we’re looking for a site there.
Secondly, Poland, especially their special forces, have been an extremely active ally in the war on terror. Upgrading their capabilities will strengthen both our defenses.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy-zyxhTJSA
Lastly, Poland is now a new member of NATO and they need to upgrade their military from the Warsaw Pact model. It is much better if they look to the US for these upgrades than if they feel compelled to look east.
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