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Poland approves plans for U.S. base

Czech gov't welcomes move, paving path toward finalizing radar

By Ondřej Bouda
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
August 20th, 2008 issue

The Aug. 14 Polish agreement to host a U.S. missile base was a victory for Czech officials who have promoted the expansion of the U.S. missile-defense shield in their own country.
Even though there are outstanding technical details in the U.S.-Polish agreement still to be discussed, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was expected to sign the treaty Aug 19. According to the agreement, the base should be finished by 2012, and positioned to intercept missiles fired by Iran and similar rogue states.
“Hopefully, signing these agreements will end all the hype that the story has generated, and people will come to realize the new geo-political situation,” said Zdeněk Zbořil, a political scientist at the Institute of International Relations in Prague. “The rockets are not aimed at Russia but instead provide cover for our allies who in turn defend us in times of need.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that the treaty still has to be ratified by Parliament. According to Polish opinion polls, support for the missile base has grown among the public since the start of the Georgian conflict. “Georgia is a handy catalyst that has generated popular support,” Zbořil observed.
Of course, many Czech officials approve of the U.S.-Polish agreement.
“We welcome the great advance that has been made between Poland and the United States. It is clear that the Poles feel Washington can guarantee their safety and we should not be afraid to follow in their steps and construct the U.S. military base on our soil,” Jan Vidím, chairman of the Chamber of Deputies’ defense committee, told the Czech News Agency Aug. 15.
“Everyone can now see that Topolánek’s administration has been right all along in saying that Poland will sign the treaty eventually,“ Zbořil said, adding that he thinks the new U.S. military bases in Europe will force a swifter European unification. “It is clear that if Europe wants to become a viable international partner it needs to have one address and one voice. As long as others have to call 27 people before reaching a decision, they will never take the European Union seriously and instead deal with individual states.”

Ondřej Bouda can be reached at obouda@praguepost.com


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