http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7223568.stm

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Quote Originally Posted by BBC News
Poland 'agrees' to host US shield

Poland's neighbour Russia is opposed to the US shield

Poland and the US have reached an agreement in principle to install a controversial American missile defence system on Polish soil.

In return for hosting part of the shield, the US has said it will help bolster Poland's air defences.

The US wants to install interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic.

Russia is opposed to the project, claiming it would seriously destabilise global security.

In October, Russian President Vladimir Putin compared the plans to the Cuban missile crisis of the 1960s, which saw the US and Soviet Union go to the brink of nuclear war.

Russia has threatened to point missiles at Europe if the US positions elements of the new missile shield near its borders.

In response to this threat, Poland says it wants help to upgrade its air defences.

Speaking in Washington, Polish foreign minister Radek Sikorsky said he was satisfied that the security concerns Poland had raised would be dealt with.

"There is still a great deal of work for our experts... But yes, I am satisfied that the principles that we have argued for have been accepted," he said.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: "We understand that there is a desire for defence modernisation in Poland and particularly for air defence modernisation in Poland. This is something that we support because it will make our ally, Poland, more capable."

America wants to install 10 interceptor missiles to protect against possible attack by what it calls rogue states, such as Iran and North Korea.

The Czech government aims to submit a draft accord on the radar base to parliament in April.


I think Russia has every right to complain. A missile shield being placed there clearly shows a mistrust of Russia that is unwarranted. As a European, Russia pointing missiles to Europe would be a valid diplomatic response. This is not the Cold War, so America should not be doing this.