Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus (right) with Polish President Lech Kaczynski in Trakai, Lithuania, June 16, 2008.
Photo: Reuters
| Other Photos |
 |
|
 |
Lithuania Will Take the Missiles
The United States is in negotiations with Lithuania on the placement of elements of its missile defense system in that country, according to Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski. Washington views Lithuania as a possible alternative in the event negotiations with Poland are unsuccessful, Waszczykowski said. Vilnius initiated the negotiations last month. Spokesmen for the American embassy in Warsaw have denied that information, and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekunas declined to comment on the claims.
At the end of last month, the Lithuanian National Defense Ministry denied reports that National Defense Minister Juozas Olekas has urged the U.S. to place part of its missile defense system on Lithuanian territory. Lithuania, which is a member of NATO, issued a statement at that time saying that the system in the Czech Republic and Poland will strengthen the security of Lithuania, Europe and Russia. The U.S. plans to place ten interceptor missiles in Poland to defend Europe and the U.S. against attack by such states as Iran and North Korea.
Washington signed an agreement with the Czech Republic on May 21 on the placement of radar facilities for the system in that country. Negotiations with Poland have taken a turn for the worse since Donald Tusk became the country’s prime minister. Tusk is determined to maintain good relations with Russia as well as the U.S. Poland is also asking for $20 billion to modernize its army in compensation for the risks associated with the missiles. The U.S. has offered the symbolic sum of $200 million.
www.kommersant.com
|
|
|
