Free Republic

Russian opposition to a U.S. proposal to build a missile defense system in Poland stems from Moscow's hopes to regain influence over its former satellite, Poland's prime minister said today. The comments by Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski came a day after a Russian general warned that Poland and the Czech Republic risk being targeted by Russian missiles if they agree to host U.S. missile defense bases. "To make it clear -- this is not about Russian security; these installations do not in any way threaten Russia," Mr. Kaczynski said on state Radio 1. "It's about the status of Poland, and...

Russia warned the United States on Tuesday against basing elements of a planned missile defense system in Poland, saying this would undermine strategic stability and require a "corresponding" response from Moscow, Interfax news agency said. "This could have a negative impact on strategic stability, regional security and the relations between states," Interfax quoted ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin as saying in an interview. "Such a new situation objectively requires corresponding measures from us," Kamynin said.

U.S. Signs Defense Agreements With Poland, Czech Republic August 9, 2006 10:30 p.m. EST Matthew Borghese - All Headline News Staff Writer Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The U.S. has signed defense agreements with both Poland and the Czech Republic, in an effort to expand American anti-missile bases. The U.S. is looking for allies to help create a missile shield to stop incoming ballistic missiles from countries like Iran and North Korea. However, some nations which are not in the shield say the idea will only lead to another arms race. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov says, "These plans have disturbed...

Poland just as Czechs says it will host U.S. anti-missile site Warsaw/Prague- The Polish Defence Ministry said that Warsaw still negotiates with the USA about a possible placement of a U.S. anti-missile site in Poland, while the Czech Foreign Minister said recently that it is almost sure that the USA will ask Prague to join its defence programme. Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda made the statement on Czech Television on Sunday, but he did not specify the form of possible Czech participation in the anti-missile protection programme. Various forms of participation include the stationing of a radar on Czech territory,...

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...

Moscow angered by US plan for 'star wars' bases in Europe to counter threat of Iran By Rupert Cornwell in Washington 24 May 2006 In a move that is raising hackles in Moscow, the US is proposing to install an anti-missile defence system in central Europe to counter any future attack from a nuclear-armed Iran. The plan, for which the Pentagon has requested $56m (£30m) of exploratory funding from Congress, would cost $1.6bn and involve 10 interceptor units. The most likely base for the system is Poland, followed by the Czech Republic, officials said. For the moment, the scheme ­...

Russian airforce chief warns Poland 22.12.2005 The chief commander of the Russian air force has warned Poland against involvement in the construction of an anti-missile shield. General Yuri Baluyevskyi intends to raise this issue with the Polish military during his planned visit to Warsaw. Since the parts of the Son of Star Wars system may serve to fight Russian missiles, Poland and other east European countries where they are to be installed should think about the possible consequences, the general told a Russian daily.

Polish public relations Letter from Poland by Peter Gentle 28.11.05 Once upon a time, Poland used to get good international press coverage. But recently the headlines have mostly been negative. What’s going wrong with Poland’s international image? It’s not been a good couple of months. Headlines in the international newspapers scream at the injustice of gays denied the right to demonstrate, and then get beaten up when they do. A couple of weeks ago a demonstration in Poznan, organized by the Campaign Against Homophobia, was banned by the local council. When gays and lesbians went ahead with the march, as...