From: Yemane Natnael (yemane_natnael@yahoo.com)
Date: Sat Aug 16 2008 - 12:05:49 EDT
Why U.S.-Poland missile deal struck abruptly after 18 months of talks?
BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. and Poland have abruptly struck a
deal to deploy parts of the U.S. global missile shield in Poland, which prompted
a warning from Russia that the agreement may involve Warsaw in escalating
Russian-U.S. tensions.
The U.S.-Polish deal, which started from January 2007, was inked Thursday
after more than 18 months of talks. On Friday, Russia warned that the deal is
threatening Russia's national security.
Why was the deal struck so abruptly after dragging on for more than 18
months? And is Russia's concern over the deal "a merely imaginary fear?"
POLAND: DREAM COMING TRUE
During the 18 months, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had for several
times expressed his hope that Poland could be protected immediately by the
United States in case of danger, implying the deployment of Patriot missiles.
On Thursday, the United States finally yielded to the request which had not
been responded to for quite a long time.
Under the agreement, the United States will help augment Poland's defenses
by deploying a Patriot missile-launching unit, which includes 96 missiles and by
setting up a military base, in exchange for placing 10 missile defense
interceptors in the European country.
Referring to the deal, Tusk said "we have finally got understanding of our
point of view that Poland, being a crucial partner of NATO and an important
friend and ally of the United States, must also be safe."
He also revealed that the United States had become more receptive to
Poland's request in the light of Russia's military action in Georgia.
"The events in the Caucasus show clearly that such security guarantees are
indispensable," Tusk said.
The deal reportedly includes a declaration of U.S. military cooperation in
case of a threat to Poland from third states, a provision that appeared to be a
direct reference to Russia.
"As soon as we are sure that Poland's security has been reinforced to the
degree we want, we are not going to wait for hours to sign a deal," the
president added.
U.S.: EYEING ON SOMETHING ELSE
The Russia-Georgia conflict is a catalyst ensuring the success of the
U.S.-Poland negotiations, Polish media said openly.
Russia's ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said the timing of the deal
showed that the missile shield is aimed at Russia's nuclear deterrent.
However, during a visit to Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, U.S. Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice denied it.
"Poland is an independent country. And it's an ally of the United States.
And it's a democratic country, to whose security the United States is
committed," Rice said.
"Russia should welcome having democracies on its border," she added.
Nevertheless, the United States is hard to blot out the suspicion that the
deal is aimed at deterring Russia.
The United States is playing an active role in Ukraine and Georgia's entry
to NATO and is stepping up its deployment of missile shield in Poland and the
Czech Republic. The anti-missile bases in the two European countries will
strengthen U.S. global strategic importance.
Following the signature of a deal between the United States and the Czech
Republic on an air-defense radar system on July 8, the deal with Poland showed
one more U.S. victory in the deployment of the missile shield system in Eastern
Europe, Analysts said.
RUSSIA: CONCERNED WITH WORRIES
Moscow is convinced the base is aimed at Russia's missile force..
"The deployment of the new missile defense forces in Europe is aimed at
Russia. So, fairy tales about deterring some rogue states with the help of these
facilities do not work," Russia President Dmitry Medvedev said.
Immediately following the deal, Russian Foreign Minister SergeiLavrov
canceled a trip to Warsaw previously planned for September, said Polish
diplomats.
According to some Russian officials, Moscow will be obliged to take more
effective measures to strengthen its defensive capability.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had warned earlier on many occasions
that Russia may have to re-target some of its rockets at the countries hosting
U.S. missile defense bases.
Some analysts said the timing of the abrupt U.S. deal with Poland is
anything but accidental and Russia's concern is not an imaginary fear.And the
deal will probably escalate the tensions between Russia and the United States.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/16/content_9406604.htm
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