Washington Underbids Future Interceptors in Poland
The U.S.-Polish talks on installing interceptors in Poland have resumed in Warsaw. The bargaining isn’t easy. In return for agreement, Poland presses for getting a sizeable military aid that will enable to completely modernize its Armed Forces, while the United States isn’t willing to spend billions of dollars for this purpose, threatening to seek a new site for the interceptors.
Another round of the U.S.-Polish negotiations on stationing the U.S. interceptors in Poland has begun in Warsaw today, May 7, 2008. The subject of negotiations is the agreement on constructing the U.S. military base in Poland that will host ten interceptors of the United States.
The talks aren’t easy, as Poland has set tough conditions for its consent, expecting Washington to fund modernization of its Armed Forces. The tension has increased after the reports of Poland’s media about the U.S. intention to look for a new missile site if Poland fails to manifest some flexibility. The U.S. delegation will probably make the final proposal during this round, said a source in Poland’s Defense Ministry, signaling the parties are yet to find some compromise.
The time is pressing. In Washington, they are willing to set to the site construction already in 2009. The current administration is eager to finalize the Polish deal before George W. Bush steps down as president. The plans are to put the first interceptor to combat duty by 2011 and complete the deployment of ten interceptors by 2013.
Warsaw counts on getting the aid worth $20 billion. If provided, the money will go for military modernization, including the upgrade of Patriot and THAAD systems.
Washington, however, refuses to recognize any links between the missile defense shield and the upgrade of Poland’s Armed Forces. The amount of $20 billion is out of the question, it could be $20 million at best, a spokesman of the U.S. Department of States made clear before the commencement of the new round, provoking a wage of indignation amid Poland’s policymakers, experts and media.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of May 07, 2008
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