Had To See This Coming: US/Poland Missile Defense Pact

[Kathianne]

Wonder why Germany's coming on board? We're doing our part, EU must man up:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080814/...issile_defense

US, Poland agree to anti-missile defense deal

By VANESSA GERA and MONIKA SCISLOWSKA, Associated Press Writers 45 minutes ago

Poland and the United States reached an agreement Thursday to base American missile interceptors in Poland, going ahead with a plan that has angered Russia and threatened to escalate tensions with the region's communist-era master.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the United States had agreed to help augment Poland's defenses with Patriot missiles in exchange for placing 10 missile defense interceptors in the eastern European country.

"We have crossed the Rubicon," he said on the TVN24 news channel, referring to U.S. consent to meet Poland's demands.

Tusk said the agreement was initialed by negotiators late Thursday in Warsaw and includes a "mutual commitment" between the two nations — beyond that of NATO — to come to each other's assistance in case of danger.

...

[Gaffer]

That last part is very important and is what the other eastern europe countries need to set up with us. To hell with NATO, lets sign on with real allies.

[Kathianne]

That last part is very important and is what the other eastern europe countries need to set up with us. To hell with NATO, lets sign on with real allies.

Yep. Do you really think Germany didn't know this was in the works, say within the past 72 hours or so? Under discussion for a few years, suddenly done. Interesting, no?

If some of us in the US think it's a big deal, meaning Georgia, imagine if we were living on the back porch?

[avatar4321]

I think that this is a natural response. Poland sees what Russia is doing, and they want to be prepared.

[Gaffer]

This attack just pushed everyone that was fence sitting off. And makes sense why Germany is stepping up now. A defense system in Poland is good for them.

[Kathianne]

This attack just pushed everyone that was fence sitting off. And makes sense why Germany is stepping up now. A defense system in Poland is good for them.

Exactly. Poland had been hemming and hawing, afraid to upset Russia. Now they know what they have to fear. So does Germany and others.

Russia may have unleashed more than intended.