|
|
 |
U.S. Base Construction in Poland to Begin on Eve of Russian Elections
U.S. President George W. Bush and Polish President Lech Kaczynski have reached an agreement on the placement of part of the U.S. missile defense system in Poland. The Polish Foreign Ministry stated that construction may begin in February 2008. Kaczynski arrived in the United States Monday, where the U.S. base was the main topic of his talks. He was accompanied by Polish Defense Minister Aleksander Szczyglo, who called Russia “unpredictable” while addressing journalists after a meeting with Pentagon chief Robert Gates.
Yesterday, Kaczynski traveled to Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to see missiles like the ones that will be installed near the Polish village of Redzikowo. Kaczynski mentioned Russia while visiting California, saying that the country's withdrawal from the CFE treaty is a “threat” to Europe.
The construction of the American base seems to be settled on by the current Polish government. Diplomats say that a possible governmental crisis in Poland will not threaten the base. Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said on Tuesday that early elections, if they take place, will be held no earlier than November, after the assumed date of the signing of the agreement with the Americans. The U.S. Senate has declared the base part of U.S. government policy, which means that it will be built regardless of the outcome of the American presidential elections.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of July 19, 2007
|
|
|
