Posted on 02/13/2009 11:52:53 AM PST by lizol
Poland wants enhanced military commitment from US
By VANESSA GERA
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland expects the United States to carry through with its promises of deeper military cooperation even if President Barack Obama scraps plans for a missile defense base in Poland, the foreign minister said Friday.
The comments came as Obama's administration is still deciding whether to continue a Bush-backed plan for a missile defense shield in Europe, a controversial project that has enraged Russia and created fears across Europe of a new Cold War.
Washington reached a deal with Poland last summer to put missile defense interceptors on Polish territory, part of a larger system that would include a radar system in the Czech Republic.
In exchange, Washington vowed to help modernize Poland's armed forces and place a battery of Patriot missiles in Poland, enhanced protection Warsaw sought against a resurgent Russia. The deal also included a mutual commitment between Washington and Warsaw of immediate military assistance should one come under attack, enhancing obligations both have as NATO members.
Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said Poland expects the U.S. to honor those pledges even if the missile defense project collapses.
"Regardless of what kind of decision the U.S. will take, we expect that the declaration on strategic cooperation will be fulfilled," Sikorski said in a speech to Poland's parliament.
He stressed that Poland remains a strong U.S. ally and wants a strong U.S. role in the region.
Obama has said he supports missile defense in principle but wants to make sure the system is reliable and does not detract from other security priorities.
Russia has objected strongly to a U.S. presence in its former sphere of influence, viewing potential bases in Poland and the Czech Republic as a strategic threat.
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I don’t blame them. I don’t know what our government is going to do, and I live here.
ya know, if I were guaranteed to be posted there, I’d sign up to help liase between the two countries’ militaries...have quite a few contacts in the business community over there that would be of help to any American troops stationed there...
The Poles can smell a renege in the wind from Washington.
Good enough for me. I say lets move the V Corps troops
from the Rhine to the Vistula. Ditto for Ukraine if
they are agreeable.
I can smell a lot from Washington...and it is a long distance from here...I think I’m even upwind from there today...
I couldn’t agree with you more.
Why would the commie obama want an ally that’s not a communist? This is an opportunity for American states to make alliances with anti-communist countries in Europe. And if obama doesn’t like it, what’s he going to do. Send a brigade of New York metrosexuals to hit Texans over their heads with purses?
We no longer live under the rule of law. It’s anarchy - every state for itself.
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