US studying Poland's quest for more on missile defence (Roundup)

Jul 4, 2008, 18:53 GMT

Prague/Warsaw - The United States Friday said it was 'studying' Poland's newest demands for more security guarantees in exchange for allowing part of a proposed US missile defence shield to be located on its territory.

'Poland remains a close and important ally of the United States,' said Sean McCormack, spokesman for the US State Department, in Washington. 'We remain in negotiations with Poland and do not plan to comment publicly on the details.'

He was reacting to remarks earlier Friday, when Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk rejected as 'insufficient' the latest US offer. He told journalists in Warsaw that the US should offer Poland 'real security guarantees.'

Also on Friday, Prague confirmed it would sign a deal with the United States later in July to locate a controversial radar facility in the Czech Republic that would be part of the defence shield programme.

Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, speaking on a visit to Azerbaijan Friday, said Prague would sign the deal, saying the US missile defence shield was important for Europe, even if there was no immediate danger, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Tusk, who said he was still open to negotiations, believes US missiles on Polish soil will increase the threat to Poland, which is why he has asked for 'additional reassurances,' he said Friday.

The US State Department said earlier in the week Washington remains committed to reaching a deal with Poland, but has not ruled out alternative countries if a deal cannot be worked out.

Lithuania has been the focus of speculation and the Baltic state has said it is open to the idea.

Since taking office in November, Tusk has increased demands on Washington for military assistance in return for the basing of the interceptors.

The countries have since begun negotiating a separate agreement for military assistance that could include improvements to Poland's air defences.

The United States said Friday the missile defence programme was an important 'potential area' of cooperation with Poland.

'An agreement would be an important means of deepening the defense and security relationship between our countries,' McCormack said.

Tusk fears a possible attack from Russia, which sees the missile defence shield in its former Warsaw Pact satellites as a provocation, but Washington insists the shield is to prevent possible attacks from what it calls 'rogue states,' like Iran.

Tusk said he passed on his concerns to US Vice President Dick Cheney in a telephone conversation Thursday evening. He stressed that the US was still Poland's closest ally.

Czech media speculated that the Czech Republic's side of the deal could be signed as early as next week when US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits Prague, but the Czech parliament must still approve the plan and there is no clear majority in favour of it.

Most Czechs have said in opinion polls that they are against the defence shield.

Russia has suggested the Gabala radar facility in Azerbaijan as an alternative, but Schwarzenberg rejected this during his visit to the capital Baku, saying Gabala was too old.