The U.S. has plans to deploy interceptor missiles in north Poland and a radar system in the Czech Republic to fend off what Washington sees as an impending missile threat from "rogue states," such as Iran and North Korea. Russia has consistently rejected this reasoning, and views the plans as a threat to its own national security.
"Another round of talks with the Americans will be held on Thursday and Friday," Robert Szaniawski said. The meeting "will be especially important, as it will concern the conditions under which the agreement could be signed, and details of mutual obligations."
The spokesman also said that Warsaw wants to conclude the deal with the United States before the end of the year, while Polish negotiators in the talks are aiming to conclude a long-term agreement, which would guarantee Poland security as well as political and technical cooperation with the U.S.
If the talks between Warsaw and Washington are successful, the U.S. is planning to place 10 missile interceptors in Poland by 2013, with the first missile complex going on combat duty as early as in 2011.
The Polish opposition, which vehemently opposes the U.S. missile defense plans, has been putting increasing pressure on Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, whose government has lost its parliamentary majority. The U.S. plans must receive the Polish legislature's backing before moving forward. Along with Czechs, most Poles are against deploying missile shield elements in their country.
