He said the deal also includes a ''mutual commitment'' between the two nations to come to each other's assistance ''in case of trouble.''
That clause appeared to be a direct reference to Russia, which has threatened to aim its nuclear-armed missiles at Poland -- a former Soviet satellite -- if it hosts the U.S. site.
U.S. and Poland Agree to Missile Defense Deal
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 6:14 p.m. ET
WARSAW, Poland (AP) -- Poland and the United States struck a deal Thursday that will strengthen military ties and put an American missile interceptor base in Poland, a plan that has infuriated Moscow and sparked fears in Europe of a new arms race.
''We have crossed the Rubicon,'' Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, referring to U.S. consent to Poland's demands after more than 18 months of negotiations.
Washington says the planned system, which is not yet operational, is needed to protect the U.S. and Europe from possible attacks by missile-armed ''rogue states'' like Iran. The Kremlin, however, feels it is aimed at Russia's missile force and warns it will worsen tensions.
U.S. officials also said the timing of the deal was not meant to antagonize Russians leaders at a time when relations already are strained over the recent fighting between Russia and Georgia over the South Ossetia region.
In an interview on news channel TVN24, Tusk said the United States agreed to help augment Poland's defenses with Patriot missiles in exchange for placing 10 missile defense interceptors in the eastern European country.
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When I heard reports today
When I heard reports today that Poland had struck this deal with the United States I gulped. The neo-cons are spoiling for a fight this nation cannot win and, worse, has no stomach to fight. The Russians are not going to allow the United States to reestablish a ring of nuclear-equipped missiles around their country as we did prior to the Cuban missile crisis.
In fact, it was the presence of our missiles around the former Soviet Union that prompted the Soviets to try to set-up missiles in Cuba. Our government lied about its actions at the time and most Americans are still convinced that the Soviets were way out of line. The old Soviet leaders that were in charge at the time had lived through World War II and they weren't too keen on fighting another war. This new group in the Kremlin are not looking for a fight either but they don't intend to roll over. Bush and Company have their hands in the bear's mouth. They need to move very slowly because we have no strategic interests in Poland. None.
Curtis LeMay
These neocons like their ultraconservative forebears have always believed that the US could 'win' such a confrontation.
"These neocons like their
"These neocons like their ultraconservative forebears have always believed that the US could 'win' such a confrontation."
So were the Athenians prior to attacking Syracuse in Sicily. By the time the third phase of the Peloponnesian War ended, Athens was but a shell of its once mighty self and Sparta ruled.
Somebody's been reading
Somebody's been reading their Thucydides.
In times like these history
In times like these history is a source of comfort not because events repeat themselves but, rather, because it keeps us keenly aware of our capacity for folly and the harm caused by unintended consequences.