US - Poland Strike Missile Deal: Why Now?

Why Is U.S.-Poland Missile Deal Struck Abruptly After 18 Months Of Talks?

2008-08-16 21:38:02
Courtesy Of XinHuaNet's China View

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. and Poland have abruptly struck a deal to deploy parts of the U.S. global missile shield in Poland, which prompted a warning from Russia that the agreement may involve Warsaw in escalating Russian-U.S. tensions.

The U.S.-Polish deal, which started from January 2007, was inked Thursday after more than 18 months of talks. On Friday, Russia warned that the deal is threatening Russia's national security.

Why was the deal struck so abruptly after dragging on for more than 18 months? And is Russia's concern over the deal "a merely imaginary fear?"

POLAND: DREAM COMING TRUE

During the 18 months, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk had for several times expressed his hope that Poland could be protected immediately by the United States in case of danger, implying the deployment of Patriot missiles.

On Thursday, the United States finally yielded to the request which had not been responded to for quite a long time.

Under the agreement, the United States will help augment Poland's defenses by deploying a Patriot missile-launching unit, which includes 96 missiles and by setting up a military base, in exchange for placing 10 missile defense interceptors in the European country.

Referring to the deal, Tusk said "we have finally got understanding of our point of view that Poland, being a crucial partner of NATO and an important friend and ally of the United States, must also be safe."

He also revealed that the United States had become more receptive to Poland's request in the light of Russia's military action in Georgia.

"The events in the Caucasus show clearly that such security guarantees are indispensable," Tusk said.

The deal reportedly includes a declaration of U.S. military cooperation in case of a threat to Poland from third states, a provision that appeared to be a direct reference to Russia.

"As soon as we are sure that Poland's security has been reinforced to the degree we want, we are not going to wait for hours to sign a deal," the president added.

U.S.: EYEING ON SOMETHING ELSE

The Russia-Georgia conflict is a catalyst ensuring the success of the U.S.-Poland negotiations, Polish media said openly.

Russia's ambassador to NATO Dmitry Rogozin said the timing of the deal showed that the missile shield is aimed at Russia's nuclear deterrent.

However, during a visit to Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice denied it.

"Poland is an independent country. And it's an ally of the United States. And it's a democratic country, to whose security the United States is committed," Rice said.

"Russia should welcome having democracies on its border," she added.

Nevertheless, the United States is hard to blot out the suspicion that the deal is aimed at deterring Russia.

The United States is playing an active role in Ukraine and Georgia's entry to NATO and is stepping up its deployment of missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. The anti-missile bases in the two European countries will strengthen U.S. global strategic importance.

Following the signature of a deal between the United States and the Czech Republic on an air-defense radar system on July 8, the deal with Poland showed one more U.S. victory in the deployment of the missile shield system in Eastern Europe, Analysts said.

RUSSIA: CONCERNED WITH WORRIES

Moscow is convinced the base is aimed at Russia's missile force.

"The deployment of the new missile defense forces in Europe is aimed at Russia. So, fairy tales about deterring some rogue states with the help of these facilities do not work," Russia President Dmitry Medvedev said.

Immediately following the deal, Russian Foreign Minister SergeiLavrov canceled a trip to Warsaw previously planned for September, said Polish diplomats.

According to some Russian officials, Moscow will be obliged to take more effective measures to strengthen its defensive capability.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had warned earlier on many occasions that Russia may have to re-target some of its rockets at the countries hosting U.S. missile defense bases.

Some analysts said the timing of the abrupt U.S. deal with Poland is anything but accidental and Russia's concern is not an imaginary fear.And the deal will probably escalate the tensions between Russia and the United States.
Editor: Bi Mingxin