|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
By Category |
 |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
India On Media |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| Politics
News |
|
| Rice in Warsaw for defence deal |
| The US and Poland are to sign a deal to locate part of the US's controversial missile defence system on Polish soil
|
| UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
, 20-August-2008
2:29:48 AM |
| US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has arrived in Warsaw for the ceremony, which follows 18 months of negotiation.
The deal has angered Russia, which has warned the base could become a target for a nuclear strike.
Washington says the system will protect the US and much of Europe against missile attacks from "rogue elements" in the Middle East such as Iran.
The agreement, which will see both US missiles and servicemen stationed on Polish soil, will be signed by Ms Rice and Poland's Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski at 0930 GMT.
See map of US missile system
While Washington believes placing 10 interceptor missiles on a disused military base near Poland's Baltic Sea coast will protect much of Nato against possible long-range attacks, Warsaw sees threats much closer to home, says the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw.
That is why it has demanded - in exchange for hosting the base - short-range Patriot missiles for its own air defences and a guarantee that the US will come to its assistance in the event of an attack, our correspondent adds.
The demands had delayed the deal's completion, but the conflict in Georgia gave the negotiations more impetus, says the BBC's Kim Ghattas, who is travelling with Ms Rice.
'Exacerbating tensions'
Both the US and Poland say the system is not aimed against Russia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADVERTISEMENTS
Free offer!!! Become an administrator for your zip home page, "Post" local news (local to your postcode)& pictures, "Post" advertisement banners from local companies. Make Extra money.
|
 |
 |
|
|
| |
|
