International

Patriot agreement to be signed Dec 10

28.11.2009 10:51

An agreement to station Patriot missiles in Poland will be signed with the US on December 10 in Warsaw.

The Status of Forces (SOFA) agreement opens the way for the missiles and US troops to be stationed in Poland next year, Deputy Defense Minister Stanislaw Komorowski said Friday, as part of an upgrading of NATO air defences in Europe. He said the negotiations have been going on for the last 14 months.

SOFA rules include provisions for American troops to pay taxes in Poland and if any crimes are committed outside the base then they would come be under the jurisdiction of Polish law.

The head of the President’s Office Wladyslaw Stasiak says the head of state is satisfied with the end of the contract negotiations and believes it lays the foundations for further cooperation with Washington.

Vice President Joe Biden was in Warsaw last month to discuss the Patriot missile plan and for Poland to be involved in a new anti-missile system as announced by President Obama in September. (pg)

Comments: 28 Add new comment

John

28/11/2009 21:15:46

A black day for Poland. Hope this will be cancelled. If USA want to install missile they should do that on their own soil.

Slavik

28/11/2009 23:29:38

John, the US is more of a victim here. Obviously Polish elites are trying to lure or shame the White House into stationing the US missiles. Let's hope Obama won't be manipulated into supporting Polish regime.

Maciej Skiba

29/11/2009 00:03:16

John,

A black day for Poland? I never realized defensive weapons are so evil. Thanks for opening my eyes John.

Slavik,

Oh the poor USA, you have got to joking right? Probably not, in that case join us on planet earth.

Maciej Skiba

29/11/2009 00:04:40

The only country that needs to fear DEFENSIVE weapons is the country planning on attacking.

Maciej Skiba

29/11/2009 00:09:06

John,

Please explain to all of us how this is bad for Poland? I would love to here your hippie logic.

In the Know

29/11/2009 00:23:29

An article in the U.S. semi-official military newspaper Stars and Stripes suggests that the Obama administration’s plan for placing a limited number of Patriot missiles in Poland has no military significance and is being implemented largely for diplomatic reasons to appease Warsaw after President Obama scrapped President Bush’s far more ambitious anti-ballistic missile defense system.

Maciej Skiba

29/11/2009 00:26:58

In the know,

You need to learn a little more, one patriot missile is of little military significance, but twenty is enough to protect Poland significantly. The first one is just the start, in case you don't know, with this agreement, Poland has the right to buy more of them.

In addition even with one this has political and geopolitical implications even if militarily one doesn't mean much.

Maciej Skiba

29/11/2009 00:29:33

Let me explain further in the know (you should change your name) but lets put that aside. With the patriot missiles comes 100 US soldiers, I don't know many countries that are stupid enough to attack Poland knowing that in the process they will have to kill those soldiers so they won't be able to use the missile battery.

Michael

29/11/2009 05:51:31

Exactly, Maciej. It's about time Poland gets something in return after giving so much. I hope this is only the start and there are more US soldiers on Polish soil.

If this is the extent of the US commitment to Poland's security, forget it. Integrate with the rest of Europe and pull out of the Middle East.

Disappointed

29/11/2009 06:57:18

I thought Poland didn't want any foreign troops on its soil... But integrating with EU is a great idea!

Published comments are the opinions of private individuals and do not reflect the views of Polskie Radio S.A. With regards to this, Polskie Radio S.A. does not accept any liability for any content published. Any comments containing vulgar language will be deleted in accordance with Polish law.

News from Poland

International

Patriot agreement to be signed Dec 10

MOST POPULAR