The U.S. will officially launch its 2004 anti-missile plans, as the trial period kicked off last January. The U.S. administration plans to construct a base for 10 two-stage missile interceptors in Poland; modify its X-band radar on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific and relocate it to the Czech Republic; and deploy a new forward-based radar to an unspecified location.
The U.S. missile shield deployment plans again sent the U.S. into a war of words with Russia at the 2+2 talks, sealed March 18 in Moscow, which failed to result in a consensus between the two countries. Russia still objected to what it called the US‘s unilateral actions; and considered the deployment of missile shield facilities to its neighboring countries a threat to its national security at the given moment.
The U.S. side has delivered proposals, ensuing the 2+2 talks, which would allow the presence of Russian officers at missile shield facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic and block the radar to prevent it from being targeted at Russia. However, what matters to Moscow is not only their presence at the sites to monitor the situation, but also equal involvement in the plans. Russia seeks to share the management, as a partner, of anti-missile facilities with the U.S in Central Europe.
In October 2007, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. State Secretary Condoleezza Rice, and defense chiefs from both countries, failed to agree on missile defense issues in Moscow. Russia‘s Lavrov said after the bilateral talks that his country will not engage in any form of an arms race.
Although a direct arms race with the United States remains out of the question, some experts observed that a lopsided race, in which the Russians focus on intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), could change the game entirely.
According to reports from the International Herald Tribune, a Russian general warned that Poland and the Czech Republic could become targets if they played host to US antimissile bases which are meant to defend against Iranian ballistic missiles. However, both countries bordering Russia dismissed the Russian threat as "an attempt to frighten" them.
In fact there is a growing concern in Poland that greater ties with the U.S. would increase the threat of domestic terrorism. A recent poll showed that only 34 percent of Poles were in favor of hosting a base.
The United States began negotiations last year with the Polish government of former Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who strongly supported the U.S. proposal. The current government, chaired by PM Donald Tusk, however, has been seeking more from the U.S. side in return.
PM Tusk said during his visit to the U.S. that it was significant that the missile defense program and the U.S.-aided modernization of the Polish military would be considered in "one package." The two countries have been negotiating Polish demands for help in upgrading its military – especially in air defense against short-to medium-range missiles – in exchange for allowing the missile defense interceptors. U.S. President Bush said after meeting with Polish PM Tusk that the United States recognizes the need for Polish forces to be modernized, and "we are responding."
Unlike Poland, the Czech Republic gave the U.S. unconditional approval for its plans to place part of the U.S.missile defense system in the country. The Czech Republic agreed on the U.S. proposal; in the meantime, suggesting that the U.S. side should try to dispel the clouds of doubt from Russia, as well as from the international community.
During a visit to NATO headquarters last March, Czech Prime Minister Mirec Topolanek reiterated that the missile defense system in progress "is not directed" at Russia. In terms of missile defense, NATO Secretary General De Hoop Scheffer said it was "a bilateral issue to be worked out between the Czech Republic and the United States."
U.S. President Bush expressed his confidence in the bilateral negotiations on the missile shield proposals: "Only concrete details are now waiting to be hammered out." And it is expected that related negotiations will be concluded in time for the NATO Summit in April in Bucharest, Romania.
The U.S. requires a larger deployment scope to build a comprehensive grid of its anti-missile system. When the U.S shifts its focus to the Pacific region, its Asian ally, South Korea, will be the first target to win over.
Considering the sensitive geopolitical conditions on the Korean Peninsula and costs to join the system; South Korea decided to take on a prudent attitude instead. According to the U.S. military journal, Defense News, South Korea agreed that it would take into account the U.S proposals to join the anti-missile system.
Although the part of the U.S. global missile defense system built so close to Russia‘s borders may not pose a direct threat to Russia – well-armed with IRBMs – missile interceptors deployed in its vicinity will dramatically shift Russia‘s military influence in Europe or may undermine the Russian deterrent. Nevertheless, the U.S. insists that the system is aimed at countering a threat from Iran or "rogue" nations; but could be "impotent" against Russia‘s massive arsenal.
By People's Daily Online
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