Eastern Europe Shuns Missile Shield

Spiegel ^ | August 2, 2006

[lizol]

Eastern Europe Shuns Missile Shield

As the Pentagon scouts Poland and the Czech Republic for possible locations for its planned missile defense shield, locals are proving to be less than enthusiastic about the idea.

With its planned new missile defense system, sometimes known as "Son of Star Wars," Washington wants to create a battery of defenses capable of protecting the United States and its allies from oncoming missiles -- nuclear or otherwise. A working version of the defense system does not yet exist and a number of tests have resulted in failure, but Pentagon officials are already scouring Eastern Europe for potential bases for the defense system. The multi-billion dollar project, which could bring with it hundreds of jobs for Europeans, will use the most modern technology and entail the stationing of interceptor ballistic missiles for shooting down long-range missiles from rogue states before they can strike targets in the US or Europe.

Since any missiles launched from Iran or North Korea aimed at Western Europe would have to pass over Polish or Czech airspace, both countries have been seen by Washington as strategically valuable potential hosts for the defense system. But Pentagon representatives meeting last week with officials in Warsaw and Prague came up against unexpected resistance. The problem lies in the fact that Washington is insisting that any base be considered a sovereign US installation on foreign soil. American soldiers would not be operating under Polish law and the Polish military could only be given access to the bases with Washington's blessing. In addition, the exlusive decision-making on defense missile launches would be made by the Americans, despite the fact that Poland could also be accountable for any such actions under international law.

[Lx]

A working version of the defense system does not yet exist and a number of tests have resulted in failure,

Don't we have a working system in Alaska and aboard ships?

[mrsmel]

What is wrong with these crazy people? Do these people have a death wish? Are they curious as to what life would be like under Islamofascist rule or something? Are they wanting a taste of "multiculturalism",Islamofascist-style? Do they wonder what it would be like to see people decapitated right before their very eyes? Sick,sick,sick.

[Crazieman]

Every time I read crap like this, I keep thinking, "A working cure does not exist and several attempts at a cure have failed." Therefore, don't treat the disease at all and end all research.

[Wiseghy]

Having just returned from an extended European junket, this does not surprise me. They may find a better reception in Hungary, but in general I would be shocked if Europeans were any more receptive to missile protection than the Canadians were. They still are suspicious of America as having imperialist ambitions and feel that terror can be contained with domestic security and internationalist policing.

It would be hard to overstate how differently they view history, terror and WMD than we do.

[lizol]

Eastern European ping list

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FRmail me to be added or removed from this Eastern European ping list

[Bigh4u2]

Yes. We do.

[1rudeboy]

The problem lies in the fact that Washington is insisting that any base be considered a sovereign US installation on foreign soil.

[1rudeboy]

Take a breath. Relax. We'll work it out.

[mrsmel]

Take a breath. Relax. We'll work it out.

You're right, I probably do get rather worked up about this.I'm just shocked at the apathy and almost suicidal attitude most of the world seems to have towards this threat.The Muslims are serious,they proclaim it for all to hear,they proudly make public their videos of decapitations-why won't the world take them at their word? What will it take? If 9/11 didn't wake people up,I sometimes feel that there's no hope.

[processing please hold]

What do they need the missle defense for--their enemies are already within their borders. They can't launch rockets at their own cities-can they?/sarc

[Grzegorz 246]

So why Europe ? Build It in US.

[GeronL]

good. we won't have to defend them after become Islamic nations.

[1rudeboy]

You really need to brush-up on E. European demographics. I'm embarrassed for you.

[processing please hold]

So, the're no islamist inside Eastern Europe wanting to pull a jihad on them? Ok.

[processing please hold]

the're = there

[1rudeboy]

Stay focused. Czech Republic and Poland.

[processing please hold]

I'm embarrassed for you. Take your pick.

islam in Eastern Europe

[processing please hold]

Czech Republic and Poland.

So you're saying radical islam doesn't spread from neighboring countries?

[Centurion2000]

A working version of the defense system does not yet exist and a number of tests have resulted in failure,

A 100% foolproof version is not there yet but it's batting a lot better than .500 and the author is only focusing on the failures.