Poland has launched negotiations with Washington on hosting U.S. military bases on its territory, Poland’s Defense Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski said Thursday. "We expect the second round of consultations on the issue of bases early this year. It’s too early to give any details," Szmajdzinski told the parliament’s defense committee. He added Poland was generally in favor of hosting the bases, but the issue of who would cover their operating costs remained open.
Ka-ching.
The United States began a diplomatic offensive last month in a dozen European capitals to discuss a redeployment strategy expected to involve closing bases in western Europe and reflect a greater NATO focus on the east and south. Poland, a staunch supporter of the war in Iraq, could see one of the biggest build-ups of U.S. forces in Europe on its territory, diplomats say.
The action is definitely east.
Russia has expressed concern over any U.S. military moves closer to its border. But Washington has said any redeployment of troops to eastern Europe was intended to tackle new security threats and was in no way directed against Moscow. Szmajdzinski declined, however, to confirm a newspaper report that American forces could take over an air base at Powidz, to the west of Warsaw.
Squirm, Vlad. |