Minister of Defence of Poland Radoslav Sikorsky.
Photo:
|
 |
Polish Minister Sees Threat from Russia
Poland should consider the potential threat to its security posed by Russia when allowing the placement of American missile defense facilities on its territory, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told the Reuters agency in an interview while on a visit to Washington. He said that Poland does not view Russia as a hostile state, but it may come into conflict with it if it allows the missile defense system to be built there.
Sikorski told journalists that the main goal of his visit was to obtain promises from the United States to help Poland increase its defense capabilities. If the placement of the missile defense facilities is a condition for that aid, Poland is ready to take that step, he said. "We're not wedded to any particular technical solution," he said. “We are interested in closer cooperation with the U.S. in defense.”
On Friday, Sikorski will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The U.S. is proposing to place ten interceptor missiles in Poland. Radar facilities are to be built in the Czech Republic. The White House says that the missiles are essential to defend Europe from attacks from Iran or North Korea.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated before Sikorski's visit that Russia will not apply pressure on Poland or other countries because of the missile defense system. Rather, he said, it is important to Russia that its position and concerns be heard by its international partners.
www.kommersant.com
|
|
|
