Russia and Poland have agreed to talk in an effort to ease growing tension over a missile defense base and Russia’s invasion of Georgia.
The plot thickens.
Last month, the U.S. and Poland signed an agreement for the U.S. to install 10 missile interceptors in Poland. As part of the deal, the U.S, will deploy a Patriot missile battery in Poland. According to the Associated Press, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski in Warsaw on September 11. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk may also meet with the Russian leader.
One can’t miss the irony of that date, the seventh anniversary of Islamic attacks on American soil. Let’s hope the meeting helps resolve tension and, more importantly, encourages talk of peace and resolution.
According to RIA Novosti, the U.S. will set up an Army Patriot missile base in Poland by 2012. Both countries signed an agreement to install 10 missile interceptors in Poland. As part of the deal, the U.S. agreed to deploy a Patriot missile battery in Poland.
At least 100 U.S. military personnel will be stationed at the Polish missile battery. John Hood, acting undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, told RIA Novosti that a “Specific number hasn’t been set yet. But a battery of this size should be a little over a hundred people…”
The U.S. and the Czech Republic also signed a missile defense agreement. More information about this deal has emerged. According to the AFP, spokesman Andrej Cirtek said all “major issues have been resolved,” referring to issues like tax treatment. Once the agreement is finalized, the Czech Republic’s parliament can give its approval.
As we mentioned yesterday, Democrats in Congress want both countries’ parliaments to weigh in on the agreements before they approve funding for the missile defense bases.
The U.S. and Poland sealed a deal to install 10 missile interceptors in Poland. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski signed the agreement today. The U.S. also agreed to give Poland Patriot missiles as part of the deal to host the base.
According to the Associated Press, Rice said the agreement “will establish a missile defense site…that will help us to deal with the new threats of the 21st century of a long-range missile threats from countries like Iran or from North Korea.”
As we blogged before, Russia is not pleased with these developments and considers the future missile defense base a threat. Even before Russia’s invasion of Georgia, the situation was tense in the region. Poland and the U.S. insist the base is a defense, not an attack or threat.
The U.S. and the Czech Republic signed an agreement for the U.S. to install a missile radar tracking system.
Russia and Poland have agreed to talk in an effort to ease growing tension over a missile defense base and Russia’s invasion of Georgia.