Obama denies Poland missile vow

[justjohn]

BBC NEWS
Obama denies Poland missile vow

US President-elect Barack Obama has not given a commitment to go ahead with plans to build part of a US missile defence system in Poland, an aide says.

He was speaking after Polish President Lech Kaczynski's office said a pledge had been made during a phone conversation between the two men.

But Mr Obama's foreign policy adviser, Denis McDonough, denied this.

Russia opposes the US scheme and has announced plans to deploy missiles on Poland's border as a counter-measure.

On Friday, EU leaders said the decision would not contribute to creating a climate of confidence or to the improvement of security.

'No commitment'

In a statement published on his website on Saturday, Poland's president said Mr Obama had "emphasised the importance of the strategic partnership of Poland and the United States and expressed hope in the continuation of political and military co-operation between our countries."

His position is as it was throughout the campaign, that he supports deploying a missile defence system when the technology is proved to be workable

Denis McDonough

Foreign policy adviser to Mr Obama

"He also said that the missile defence project would continue," the statement added.

When asked about the declaration, McDonough said that the US president-elect had had "a good conversation" with Mr Kaczynski about the American-Polish alliance and discussed missile defence, but "made no commitment on it".

"His position is as it was throughout the campaign, that he supports deploying a missile defence system when the technology is proved to be workable," Mr McDonough told the Associated Press.

In the past, Mr Obama has said he wants to review the plans for a missile defence system in central Europe to ensure it would be effective and not target Russia.

But the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw says the Russian government believes the plan to locate 10 interceptor missiles in northern Poland and a tracking radar in the Czech Republic will do exactly that.

In his first state of the nation address on Wednesday, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev said Moscow would neutralise the system by deploying short-range missiles in its western enclave of Kaliningrad on Poland's border.

The US military insists the shield is incapable of destroying Russian rockets and is designed solely to guard against missile attack by so-called "rogue states", such as Iran.
Story from BBC NEWS:
news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/europe/7717669.stm

Published: 2008/11/08 18:09:06 GMT

[nathanael]

Everybody knew that, if elected, Mr. Obama would capitulate on many fronts, in order to save his presidency. The issue of Poland's defense shield is one such front. Even before the newly-elect President takes office, Putin is being handed a victory! The question is not so much the shield itself, which I have opposed, but the principle of "peace at any price," which is being now resurrected in dealings with Russia! What Mr. Obama hopes to get in exchange? The media speak of the "protection of Europe from the Russian threat." This was exactly the hope of Lord Neville Chamberlain: the protection of Europe from Hitler! But there is also the important issue of Iran. President Obama appears to want to exchange the Polish shield for a "right" to attack Iran. My objection is first of all with Russia's "conditions." The U.S. should not be forced to do its foreign policy under Russia's gun! In this context, the innocent remark by Putin's friend, Silvio Berlusconi, about the "youthful, fresh, tanned U.S. president not expecting to have any problems at the Kremlin," is a ominous warning that Mr. Obama better know what he is going to say!

[Jaga]

I agree with Obama. The missile defense system would only build tension with Russia.

[kaima]

Nov 9, 2008 10:22:02 GMT -7 Jaga said:

I agree with Obama. The missile defense system would only build tension with Russia.

While I fully agree with you Jaga, I think the most important part is that Obama did not commit the US to continue this policy, but rather left it open for thought, discussion and decision later.

Hopefully the US will return to a practice of discussion and debate on our policies and not remain stuck with the dictates of the executive branch.

Kai