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Missile shield hosts ask U.S.: what's in it for us?

Ian Traynor

The Poles want Patriot missiles, the Czechs seek legal guarantees.

POLAND AND the Czech Republic are raising the ante in negotiations with the Americans, demanding missiles to deploy against Russia and security and legal guarantees in return for hosting elements of the U.S. missile shield. The missile defence programme is splitting Europe and igniting a new Cold War-style clash with the Kremlin, and the demands from the central Europeans plunge the Pentagon project into greater uncertainty.

Talks over extending the missile defence project from California and Alaska to Europe, are expected to be wound up before the year-end. The Poles are insisting on U.S. security guarantees and supplies of Patriot missiles to protect themselves against a perceived threat from Russia, while the Czechs are in discussions over how a U.S. radar base south of Prague would be safeguarded and what's in it for the Czechs.

"We want legal guarantees. I can't go into details but it is to do with how the base is protected and also about the base agreement," said a senior Czech official.

The Poles and the Czechs are frustrated at being taken for granted. Unless there is more in the deal for the host countries, they are telling the Americans, it will be difficult to convince their parliaments.

— © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2007

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