Region: U.S. jets to base near Warsaw

Officials are expecting U.S. President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to pave the way for the stationing of U.S. fighter jets on Polish soil for the first time in either country's history.

Obama, who will pay his first visit Poland May 27-28, is set to announce details of U.S. plans to move Air Force F-16 fighter jets from their current location at Aviano Air Base in Italy to an airbase in the city of Łask, about 180 kilometers southwest of Warsaw.

Poland has long sought a permanent presence of the U.S. military, and leaders are hoping Obama's announcement will lead to such an arrangement.

"At the moment, we're holding talks with the Americans on the topic of a detailed agreement that will govern on what basis the air detachment ... will be stationed on our territory," said Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich. "I hope both sides will be ready with this agreement by the time President Obama arrives."

But the United States has thus far maintained the F-16s in Poland would be part of a temporary training program and not a permanent installation.

An aide to Polish President Bronisław Komorowski told journalists the United States proposed to Poland that the fighter jets, as well as four Hercules transport planes, could be stationed in the country by mid-2013.

Poland's desire for a U.S. military presence stems from its urge to be assured pledges of mutual military assistance by NATO allies will be honored. Komorowski said in his 2010 inaugural address that even though the country does not face a direct threat from a foreign power, memories of invasions and occupations throughout history by the Habsburg Empire, Russia, Germany and the Soviet Union continue to influence national defense policy.

Obama is also expected to discuss energy cooperation between the two countries, including shale-gas development, which is especially topical in Poland right now as large shale-gas deposits have recently been discovered in the northern portion of the country. (See story on this page.)

''He will be campaigning for U.S. companies just like other governments all over the world would do for their companies," said Tomasz Chmal, a Polish energy expert.

Obama's visit is part of what will be his longest European trip as president, with additional stops in Ireland, the United Kingdom and France. During his stay in Warsaw, he is scheduled to attend a summit of leaders from Central and Eastern Europe.

In Ireland, he dropped in on the small village of Moneygall - population around 300 - where his great, great, great grandfather had lived. Obama was also received with a king's welcome in Dublin's College Green where the ecstatic crowd chanted his 2008 campaign slogan "Yes we can!" in Gaelic.

Before arriving in Warsaw, Obama will attend the G8 Summit in Deauville, France, where he is expected to urge American allies to support and advance the democratic uprisings in the Middle East.

- Cillian O'Donoghue contributed to this report.

Jack Buehrer can be reached at
jbuehrer@praguepost.com