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Patriots under scrutiny: three views on missiles in Poland
Published: 21 January, 2010, 20:36
Edited: 10 April, 2010, 05:06
TAGS: Arms, Military, EU, Russia, USA
Under amended plans, the Patriot missile launchers, designed to shoot down planes and cruise missiles, are to be placed just 100 kilometers from the border with Russia’s Kaliningrad region.
This is in compensation for US President Barack Obama’s decision last year to shelve a long-range missile interceptor scheme for Central Europe that had infuriated Russia.
This could mean a new twist in the fiery US-Russia missile dispute.
Political analyst Vladimir Kozin sees this as threat to Russia’s interests.
“It's a direct threat to Russia's national interests, because these Patriot missiles are just the first step,” said Kozin. “In the long term, the ground-based interceptor systems may appear, which is alarming at a time when we are approaching the signing of START.”
But according to military journalist Viktor Litovkin, the Patriots are not a threat to Russia, as it has no plans to attack Poland or any other country.
“It’s a compensation for the Poles for not placing the strategic missiles, as well as a way to cure Polish phobias,” Litovkin said. “Now it is clear who Poland is afraid of, though it is not clear why.”
Journalist Fred Weir from the Christian Science Monitor suggests keeping the big picture in mind.
“We need to keep in mind that when Obama took that old Bush-era plan off the table, he really reduced the tensions and created the conditions for a new START treaty,” Weir said. “The local problems in Europe – between Russia and NATO – are disturbing, but they are not of the same caliber.”
21.01.2010, 19:07
5 comments
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RT professionalism is not objective at all about USA/Polish-Patriot missile. 1) Patriot Mk II+ or III is not as good as even first generation Russian S300 system and now Russia is introducing S400, which is even way better than fifth S300 system. 2) Kaliningrad region in Russia is the most variety and largest weapon depot on the world. From nukes, Chem., and biological weapons to crusse and other missile systems capable to carry it whenever it is possible. 3) Poland and Russia has "havy history" and many reasons why only tactical-defense missile system (like Patriot II+ or III, far away from perfect) is installed in Poland, before new START pact will be signed. Tell me does anybody need more reasons why Patriot system is installed in Poland today ...?
Poland, Georgia and all other countries which were "imposed democracy" after the fall of the Soviet Union, including my Yugoslavia, are like "ticks on a dog's tail, competing to be better to ring." America and its allies were the one who helped "the Democrats" to come to power, then "Democrats" are doing everything to prove that their sponsors not just made a mistake choosing them. That is why they are doing everything possible to satisfy "Big Brother", and even more to maintain them in power. In the case of Poland it is certainly the case. Bearing in mind that the "Patriot II or Mk III is not as good as even first generation Russian S300 system"there is a real possibility that the Polish authorities estimated that for something like that could be praised by big brother. The truth is that they do not have a clean conscience towards the Russians.