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Poland expects Obama to sign F-16 airbase deal
Published: 10 May, 2011, 14:23
A US airforce F16 at the Aviano air base (AFP Photo / Giuseppe Cacace)
TAGS: Arms, Conflict, Military, Russia, Politics, Europe, USA
Washington and Warsaw may agree on transferring US F-16 fighter jets from the Aviano Air Base in Italy to Polish soil, while Moscow demands explanations for the move.
According to Poland’s Defense Minister Bogdan Klich, the agreement on stationing US fighter jets can be prepared by the time of the US president’s visit to Warsaw on May 27-28.
The two sides are currently negotiating the details of the agreement. If the plan works, an air detachment to service the F-16 and Hercules crews and land personnel will be stationed on Polish territory. It was previously expected that the transfer to the Lask airfield in central Poland may take place in 2013.
The first information regarding Aviano emerged in March last year. The airbase in Italy where three fighter squadrons are stationed was used in NATO operations to bomb Yugoslavia in 1999.
Polish and US military are discussing the status of the new airbase, including the issue over whether the fighter jets will be stationed on a permanent or rotation basis. The US media quoted anonymous defense officials as saying the F-16s would go to Poland for temporary training. But Polish newspapers sound “more optimistic” and predict permanent status for the airbase.
The US has already deployed a battery of Patriot air defense systems in Poland. Analysts do not rule out that Washington and Warsaw may also discuss stationing SM-3 interceptor missiles as part of the US global missile defense shield. However, Obama had already scrapped the plans of the previous US administration to deploy interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic following Russia’s angry reaction.
As for the plans to transfer the air base from Italy to Poland, the General Staff of the Russian armed forces had earlier demanded explanations. The move might pose new questions regarding the cooperation between Russia and the US and NATO in missile defense.
It could also complicate relations between Russia and Poland, which seem to have warmed in recent months. Although many Polish politicians are still suspicious of Russia, President Bronislaw Komorowski has stated that his country is not currently threatened by any country.
10.05.2011, 13:51
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10.05.2011, 14:38
6 comments
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Russia better be on guard because the next target for American/NATO internal ferment may very well be the Russian Federation.
I have already commented on this blog twice but I want to add that this is a bold move and the risks associated with Russia’s reaction has been calculated. I see the fingerprint of the Full Spectrum Dominance doctrine all over this move. This is encirclement. The last time a bold move of this kind was made against Russia was 2008 and we know how that one ended. This move is all about the coming energy wars over Eurasia. I never once believed the reset between the U.S and Russia and I do not believe it will happen in the near future.
If U.S. wants to fight another cold war in Asia and Europe, Russia and China have to fight another cold war again in Asia and Europe.
In this time, both [Russia and China ]countries have to bring other major countries in to the fighting along with the soldiers of chinese and russian. In this time, they have to fight at the same time around the asia and europe.
I want chinese government comes out with his 30 millions strong men powers and his military hardware to fight against another cold war around the asia and europe uniting hands with Russia Federation and other major players in the region to fight to the death.
If God punishes California with no mercy, I want the leadership of Russia, China and Iran and Japan and India have to make me and my dad to leave from California. I am willing to die for the war that U.S. and his alliances are going to cause to the world. I have been repeated many times. I am willing to give up my life to save millions of life in Asia and Europe.